The objective of the present study was to increase the solubility and oral bioavailability of aceclofenac by formulating the solid self-emulsifying (SE) pellets. The pellets were prepared by extrusion/spheronization technique, using oleic acid, cremophor, lactose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) K30 and microcrystalline cellulose. The solid self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies. SE pellets exhibited uniform size (800 to 2000 μm) and were spherical in shape. Droplet size distribution of the optimized pellets (SF9) following self-emulsification in water was 234.9±16 nm. In vitro release of optimized pellets was higher (95±4.21%) compared with aceclofenac pure drug (40±4.55%) at the end of 15 min. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in Wistar rats revealed that, AUC and Cmax of SF9 were notably higher than aceclofenac pure drug. SEDDS showed feasible approach to improve the dissolution and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drug aceclofenac.