A composition for oral delivery of a poorly absorbed drug is disclosed. The composition includes the drug, an enhancer for increasing absorption of the drug through the intestinal mucosa, a promoter, which alone does not increase absorption of the drug through the intestinal mucosa, but which further increases the absorption of the drug in the presence of the enhancer, and optionally a protector for protecting the drug from physical or chemical decomposition or inactivation in the gastrointestinal tract. Illustrative enhancers include sucrose fatty acid esters, and illustrative promoters include aminosugars and amino acid derivatives, such as poly(amino acids). Illustrative protectors include methylcellulose, poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone).