A series of 1,3-dioxoindan-2-carboxylic acid arylamides were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines (HOP62, SK-OV-3, MD-MB-468 and T- 47D). The most active was compound 3e (1.2 ${mu}M$ against SK-OV-3 cell line) bearing a 4- methyl substituent.