The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C20H 21NO3, contains two crystallographically independent molecules, approximately related by a local twofold axis. These two molecules differ from each other in the orientation of the ethyl group. In both molecules, the piperidone ring adopts a slightly distorted chair conformation, with the phenyl rings and carbethoxy group attached equatorially. The crystal packing is characterized by C - H⋯π and C - H⋯O interactions. © 2003 International Union of Crystallography Printed in Great Britain - all rights reserved.