This study is designed to develop our understanding of the efficacy and safety of using lumiracoxib in the treatment of patients with acute gout. This is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, parallel group study comparing a single daily dose of 400 mg lumiracoxib with the established dose of indomethacin 50 mg taken three times a day in terms of efficacy

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ambulatory cooperative male or female patients of at least 18 years of age
• With an acute attack of gout in 4 joints or less, diagnosed clinically according to the ACR 1977 classification criteria and with an onset within the last 48 hours prior to evaluation. Where more than one joint is involved, the most affected joint should be identified, as the study joint, at baseline and followed throughout the study
• Who present at Baseline with an acute pain intensity of at least moderate.

Exclusion Criteria:

• With an acute attack of gout before the last 48 hours prior to evaluation
• With polyarticular gout involving > 4 joints
• With rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, pseudo-gout or other acute inflammatory arthritides.

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.