The crystal structure of the inclusion complex of beta-cyclo-dextrin with mefenamic acid has been determined from a combination of high-resolution synchrotron powder-diffraction data and molecular-mechanics calculations. A grid search indicates two possible solutions, which are corroborated by molecular-mechanics calculations, while Rietveld-refinement results suggest the crystal structure that is more likely to be formed in the solid state. Mefenamic acid is partially included in beta-cyclodextrin with either the xylyl or the benzoic-acid moiety being inside its cavity. In both solutions mefenamic acid and beta-cyclodextrin form a monomeric complex in a herringbone packing scheme.