A process for preparing a water-absorbent resin made from an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid as an essential monomer characterized in that the process comprises allowing a metal chelating agent to be present at any step in the process in an amount of 0.001 to 6 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid; and adding a reducing agent or an oxidizing agent thereto in an amount of 0.001 to 6 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid before initiation of drying and/or during drying of a gelated product containing a water-absorbent resin obtained by polymerization.