The influence of different suppository bases on the rectal absorption and the dissolution rate of propranolol was investigated. The bioavailability of propranolol in rectal suppository was determined by comparing the area under the concentration-time curves(AUC) for oral administration with rectal suppositories in rabbits. The dissolution $rates(D_{20min})$ were higher in such order as tween (TWE), witepsol H-15(WIT), polyethylene glycol(PEG) suppository. The maximum blood concentrations $(C_{max})$ were 803.9 ng/ml for TWE suppository, 770.2 ng/ml for WIT suppository, 281.2 ng/ml for PEG suppository and 177.1 ng/ml for oral administration. The relative bioavailabilities were 233.5% for TWE suppository, 218.1% for TWE suppository, 191.3% for PEG suppository. The correlation between $D_{20min}$ and AUC, the time for dissolution in 75% and $C_{max}$, the mean dissolution time and the mean residence time showed significant linear relationship respectively.