This study was attempted to investigate the dissolution rate and the bioavailability of commercially available sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (SMX-TM) tablets in rabbits. The dissolution test was conducted in artificial gastric juice by basket method with eight SMX-TM tablets which were chemically equivalent. According to the dissolution rate, SMX-TM tablets were divided into four groups, such as rapid, intermediate, slow and very slow groups for the bioavailability test in rabbits. The results were as follows: 1) The dissolution rate of brand A was most rapid but brand H was most slow in artificial gastric juice. 2) Area under the blood concentration curve was larger in the order of brand A > C > E > H in rabbits. 3) There was a little difference in pharmacokinetic parameters such as biological half life, absorption rate constant and $t_{max}$. 4) The relationship between the dissolution rate and relative bioavailability was significant in brand A, C, E and H. From the results of this experiment, the bioavailability of SMX-TM tablets in rabbits may be predicted from the results of dissolution rate studies.