A process for the preparation of a steroid selected from the group consisting of a C3 protected form of a 21-halo enimide of the formula ##STR66## and a C3 protected form of a 21-halo-??20 -enamide of the formula ##STR67## which comprises contacting a C3 protected form of a ??20 -enamide of the formula ##STR68## with a halogenating agent where R6 is a hydrogen or fluorine atom or methyl group;R9 i