In order to develop a desirable in vitro release which correlates well with in vivo bioavailability, hollow type suppository containing Propranolol·HCl(PPH) powder in the cavity and conventional type suppository with dispersed PPH in the base were prepared. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel as a base and PPH as a model drug were used for the preparation of suppository. The rates of drug release from the suppositories were studied by Paddle method. Muranish method, Dialysis tubing method and Rotating dialysis cell method. The release profiles from suppositories using the four different release tests were compared. After a rectal administration in rat, the mean C_(max) of hollow type suppository was significantly lower than that of conventional type, but T_(max), AUC_(0→12) and MRT of hollow type were significantly higher 1.6 times, 1.2 times and 1.9 times than those of conventional type, respectively. The computer program was used to simulate plasma concentration from in vitro released amounts of drug and in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters. Based on comparison of the simulated bioavailability from computer program with experimental bioavailability in rat we have found out in vitro release test which correlates well with in vivo bioavailability. Our results have shown the best correlation between in vitro release and in vivo bioavailability in PPH-PVA hydrogel hollow type suppository for the paddle method and conventional type suppository for the rotating dialysis cell method. In this work we propose that PPH-PVA hydrogel suppository shows in vitro-in vivo correlation. This data should help to optimize the formulation of the drug and provide a basis for quality control procedures.