Abstract: A melt-spinning apparatus includes a feed device for feeding a molten polymer composition from at least one extruder to a multiplicity of spinning orifices provided by a plurality of spinnerets for producing a multiplicity of discrete continuous extrudates emerging from the orifices in a generally downward direction; quenching devices for cooling the extrudates and for solidifying them to form a multiplicity of discrete continuous filaments; take-up and stretching devices provided downstream from the orifices for contacting and stretching the filaments; the quenching devices include guides for directing at least one stream of a cooling gas having a quenching temperature onto a portion, at least, of the extrudates; the orifices or spinnerets are arranged to form an annular array and a portion, at least, of the quenching devices is provided to direct the cooling gas stream in a substantially radial manner onto the extrudates that emerge from the orifices in the annular array.