11.beta.-Halo-9.alpha.,12-unsubstituted-C.sub.19 -steroids having hormonal activity and a process for preparing same by reacting the corresponding 11.alpha.-hydroxy steroid with a compound of the formula ##EQU1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl groups having 1-8 carbon atoms or aralkyl or aryl groups or, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, comprise a heterocyclic radical; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are chlorine, bromine or fluorince atoms or a fluorine atom together with a chlorine or bromine atom and R.sup.5 is hydrogen or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 together represent a carbon-carbon bond; R.sup.6 is a chlorine, bromine or fluorine atom and R.sup.7 is a chlorine, bromine or fluorine atom or a trifluoromethyl group, the reaction being effected in the presence of chloride or bromide ions when neither R.sup.3 nor R.sup.4 is chlorine or bromine.