The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemopreventive effect of coumarin against 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis by monitoring tumor incidence and histopathological changes as well as by analyzing the status of biochemical markers (lipid peroxidation, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, phase I and phase II detoxification enzymes). Oral squamous cell carcinomas were induced in the buccal pouch of Syrian golden hamsters by painting with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin three times a week for 14 weeks. We noted 100% tumor formation with marked abnormalities in the biomarkers status in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Oral administration of coumarin at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight (bw) to DMBA treated hamsters completely prevented the tumor formation as well as restored the status of biochemical variables. The results of the present study thus suggest that the chemopreventive effect of coumarin is probably due to its anti-lipid peroxidative potential and modulating effect on carcinogen detoxification agents in favor of the excretion of ultimate carcinogenic metabolites of DMBA during DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.