The present invention relates to a process for selectively producing C.sub.3 olefins from a catalytically cracked or thermally cracked naphtha stream. The process is practiced by recycling a C.sub.6 rich fraction of the catalytic naphtha product to the riser upstream the feed injection point, to a parallel riser, to the spent catalyst stripper, and/or to the reactor dilute phase immediately above the stripper.