This invention relates to a process for preparing pergolide, which comprises the steps of reacting 9,10-dihydrolysergol with an acid anhydride at an elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst to form a triacylated product intermediate; reducing the triacylated product intermediate with a reducing agent in a solvent to form a primary amino alcohol intermediate; and reacting the amino alcohol intermediate with dimethyl disulfide and trialkyl phosphine, aryl phosphine or the polymeric derivatives of phosphine analogs thereof in a polar solvent to obtain pergolide; or the steps of reacting 9,10-dihydrolysergol with dimethyl disulfide and trialkyl phosphine, aryl phosphine or the polymeric derivatives of phosphine analogs thereof in a polar solvent to form a methylsulfide intermediate; reacting the methylsulfide intermediate with an acid anhydride at an elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst to form a diacylated amide intermediate; and reducing the diacylated amide intermediate with a reducing agent in a solvent to obtain pergolide.