A series of new poly(o-hydroxy amide-imide)s with high molecular weights were synthesized by low-temperature solution polycondensation from a preformed imide ring and chloro- or dichloro-substituted p-phenylene-containing diacid chlorides of 2,5-bis(trimellitimido)chlorobenzene or 1,4-bis(trimellitimido)-2,5-dichlorobenzene and three bis(o-amino phenol)s. All the poly(o-hydroxy amide-imide)s were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and N,N-dimethylacetamide. Transparent and flexible films of these polymers were cast from their solutions. The cast films had tensile strengths ranging from 88 to 102 MPa and elongations at break of 8-12%. Subsequent thermal cyclodehydration of the poly(o-hydroxy amide-imide)s afforded novel poly(benzoxazole-imide)s. The poly(benzoxazole-imide)s exhibited glass-transition temperatures in the range of 310-338 degrees C and were stable up to 500 degrees C in nitrogen, with 10% weight-loss temperatures recorded between 550 and 570 degrees C in nitrogen.