A process for hydroprocessing middle distillate petroleum streams in two temperature stages. The feedstream is hydroprocessed in two or more first temperature stages operated at a temperature from about 360.degree. C. to about 450.degree. C. The reaction product of the first temperature stage(s) is quenched to a temperature from about 260.degree. C. to about 350, stripped of H.sub.2 S, NH.sub.3 and other dissolved gases, then sent to the second temperature stage which is operated at said quenched temperature range. The product from the second temperature stage is also stripped of dissolved gases. Color bodies produced in the higher temperature first stage are hydrogenated in the last stage.