Aluminum nitride fibers were successfully synthesized from alumina fibers using an NH5-C3H8 gas mixture as a reduction-nitridation agent. Observation using SEM clearly demonstrated that the morphology of the nitrided fibers was exactly the same as that of the raw alumina fibers, retaining the original regular shape and smooth surface. Up to 95% of the starting alumina was converted to aluminum nitride at 1400degreesC within 0.5 h via a single-step synthesis process.