Abstract: A process for the gasification of coal and other carbonaceous materials in which solid particulate carbonaceous material is dried without pyrolysis or oxidation by direct contact with a fluent stream of hot synthesis gas product. The dried carbonaceous material is separated from the moist synthesis gas, water is removed from the moist gas and converted to steam, and the steam is mixed with oxygen bearing gas and reacted with the dried carbonaceous material to produce synthesis gas and an ash residue. The oxygen and steam mixture is heated by direct contact with the ash residue, while the hot synthesis gas is utilized to dry the incoming particulate carbonaceous material. Synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides is recovered from the process.