A high-strength .alpha.-alumina formed body with a low soda content, of which pore distribution is controlled, can be provided in an easy and inexpensive manner. The .alpha.-alumina formed body can be produced by a method comprising calcining a gibbsite-phase aluminum hydroxide to obtain rehydratable alumina powder; forming the rehydratable alumina powder in the presence of water to obtain a formed body; maintaining the formed body in the presence of water at about 110-200.degree. C., to rehydrate the formed body; and calcining the rehydrated formed body at about 1200.degree. C. or higher. The .alpha.-alumina formed body is useful as a carrier for catalysts, chemicals, microbes for food leftover disposal and the like.