Novel soft steroid anti-inflammatory agents, said agents being esters or thioesters of 17.alpha.-alkoxy-11.beta.-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one-17.beta.-carboxylic acids, pharmaceutical compositions containing said agents, novel chemical intermediates useful in the preparation of said agents and methods of administering same to mammals in the treatment of inflammation. Preferred compounds are the haloalkyl esters of 17.alpha.-alkoxy-11.beta.-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one-17.beta.-carboxylic acids.