Process for spinning pitch fiber into a hot gaseous environment

In a process of producing a carbon fiber from mesophase pitch having at least about 70% by weight mesophase, including the steps of spinning a pitch fiber from the mesophase pitch using a spinnerette, thermosetting the pitch fiber, and thereafter, carbonizing the pitch fiber to produce the carbon fiber, wherein the improvement comprises spinning the pitch fiber into an inert gaseous environment having a temperature of from about 150.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C.