A process is provided for the preparation of caprolactam from a compound of formula (I): NC--(CH.sub.2).sub.5 --CO--R (I) in which R is a carboxamide, carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester group, wherein a) a compound (I) or a mixture of such compounds, in the presence of ammonia and optionally a liquid diluent (VI), is hydrogenated with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst (II) to give a mixture (III), b) the hydrogen and the catalyst (II) are separated from the mixture (III) to give a mixture (IV), and c) the mixture (IV), optionally in the presence of a liquid diluent (VII), is converted to caprolactam in the presence of a catalyst (V).