Abstract: A catalyst support includes substantially spherical particles of a substantially homogeneous mixture of at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of refractory inorganic oxides, refractory inorganic carbides, refractory inorganic nitrides and mixtures thereof, wherein said particles have a surface area of at least about 30 m.sup.2 /g, an average pore diameter of at least about 150 .ANG., and a particle size of at least about 0.1 mm. The support may be used in a catalyst system to support a Group IVb and a Group VIII metal in a catalyst system useful for hydrogenation of carbon monoxide into C.sub.2 + hydrocarbons. A method is also provided for preparing the catalyst support and system.