Response surface methodology (RSM) was performed in the present study to optimize the extraction of phenolics from soybean seeds (Glycine max  L.). The maximum yield of total phenolic content (TPC) and the IC50 value for 2,2-diphenyl-1-pierylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radi-cal scavenging were used as quality indicators. The extraction was carried out three cycles by using aqueous acetone 69% as solvent. The range of the independent variables, namely the ratio of solvent and material (6:1-10:1, v/w), the time for each cycle (180-240 minutes) and extraction temperature (30-50°C) were identified by a first set of single and two factor experiments. The optimum conditions for extraction were found to be at the ratio of solvent and material 8:1 (v/w), extraction time 184 minutes for each cycle and extraction tempera-ture 42°C. Under these optimized conditions, the experimental maximum yield of TPC and the minimum IC50 value were respectively 3.06 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g DW and 9.18 ± 0.02 mg/ml which were in close agreement with predicted values, This indicates the suitability of the models developed and the success of RSM in optimizing the extraction conditions.