Have you considered a full text index? I have had very good luck in some cases with issues such as yours. Check it out here and see if it would work for your case.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms345119(v=sql.90).aspx
It will not always fit your needs, but may be an option to explore.
Steve Jimmo
Sr DBA
“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan