The aromatic hydrocarbons rich in benzene, toluene and xylene are prepared from a hydrocarbon feed having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms by feeding the hydrogen in admixture with hydrogen in a ratio ranging from 0 to less than 1 mole with respect to each mole of the hydrocarbon, into contact with a catalyst prepared by depositing at least one metal belonging to group VIII of the periodic table on a macroporous zeolite treated with a halogenated compound. The aromatic hydrocarbons rich in benzene, toluene and xylene are useful as a base for high octane number gasoline or as petrochemical raw materials.