The present invention relates to interleukin-1 converting enzyme inhibitors having the formula: ##STR1##

R is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;

R¹ is a cysteine trap;

R^2a, R^2a, R^2b, and R^2b are each independently hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, and mixtures thereof; or R^2a and R^2b can taken together to form a double bond;

L and L¹ are linking groups having the formula: ##STR2##

T is selected from the group consisting of:

i) —NR⁶—;

ii) —O—;

iii) —NR⁶S(O)₂—;

iv) —S(O)₂NR⁶—; and

v) mixtures thereof;

R⁶ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl, C₆-C₂₀ aryl, C₇-C₂₀ alkylenearyl, and mixtures thereof; the indices w, w¹, and w² are each independently 0 or 1;

i) hydrogen;

ii) C₁-C₄ linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl;

iii) R^3a and R^3b or R^4a, and R^4b can be taken together to form a carbonyl unit;

iv) two R^3a or two R^3b units from adjacent carbon atoms or two R^4a or two R^4b units from adjacent carbon atoms can be taken together to form a double bond; and

v) mixtures thereof;

the index m is from 0 to 5; the index n is from 0 to 5.