A four-step preparation of 1-methyl-5-p-totylpyrrole-2-acetic acid (Tolmetin) is reported starting from 1-methyl-2-p-tolylpyrrole. Formylation of this compound followed by condensation with methyl(methylthio)-methyl sulfoxide furnished 1-(methylsulfinyl)-1-methylthio-2-(1-methyl-5-p-tolyl-2-pyrrolyl)ethylene. Pummerer rearrangement of the latter compound gave ethyl 1-methyl-5-p-tolylpyrrole-2-acetate