Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of 4-hydroxy-3-(5-methyl-3-isoxazolylcarbamoyl)-2-methyl-2H-1,2-benzothiazine 1,1-dioxide (I), a known anti-inflammatory agent, is described. The process involves the reaction of a solution of alkyl 2,3-dihydro-3-oxo-1,2-benzisothiazole-2-acetate 1,1-dioxide (II) in dimethylformamide, with an alkali metal alkoxide using the specific portions of reactants and carefully controlled reaction conditions. Acidification of the reaction mixture precipitates out alkyl 4-hydroxy-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxylate 1,1-dioxide (III) in substantially pure form in high yields, without recrystallization. Product III is methylated on the sulfonamide nitrogen and reacted with 3-amino-5-methylisoxazole to obtain crude I. A further improvement in the process of the invention involves a more efficient method for purifying crude product I by solubilizing in dimethylformamide with heating to 125.degree. C. to 148.degree. C.