The volatile matter evolved during the rapid pyrolysis of coal was hydrocracked over catalysts in the last stage to increase the yield of valuable products like benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX). The effects of gas atmosphere, coal type, pyrolysis temperature, hydrocracking temperature and catalyst type were examined. The highest BTX yield, 10.4 wt%(daf), was obtained under the following conditions: Millmerran coat, H-2 pressure of 5 MPa, primary pyrolysis temperature of 800-degrees-C, secondary hydrocracking temperature of 620-degrees-C and with a Ni-Mo-S catalyst.