This volume contains the Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on Molecular Recognition and Inclusion, ISMRI 9 which was held in Lyon, France during 7 to 12 September 1996. The articles reflect the over 50 oral presentations and 140 posters which were presnted at ISMRI 9, both in the range of topics and also in the layout of the volume which comprises five sections, Plenary, Invited, Oral and Emerging Lectures and the four poster sessions. Some words should be said about the Emerging lectures, these were a means of allowing young scientists, often doctoral students to present short 15 minute talks on their work and were one of the great scientific successes ofISMRI 9. I would again like to thank the presenters ofthese lectures for their contributions. The scientific content of ISMRI 9 reflected the logo of the conference showing the symbiotic interactions between Chemistry, Physics and Biology which contribute so strongly to the inter-and pluridisciplinary nature of Supramolecular Science. The topics ranged from Glycobiology through Membrane Systems through Synthetic Organic and Inorganic Chemistry to the construction of Complex Edifices in solution and the Solid-State to arrive at the Physics of Molecular Interactions via the understanding of Water and Gas-Clathrates. Once more to all the speakers who us the breadth of the subjects, thank you.