The invention provides a process for preparing levofloxacin hemihydrate, comprising:(A) dissolving levofloxacin in a solvent selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, acetonitrile:H2O, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl sulfoxide:H2O, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone:H2O, butanol, butanol:H2O, and mixtures thereof at an elevated temperature; and(B) crystallizing levofloxacin hemihydrate.