7 alpha-, 12 alpha-, 12 beta-Hydroxy and 7 alpha,12 alpha- and 7 alpha,12 beta-dihydroxy-3-ketocholanoic acids were prepared in satisfactory yields protecting the 3-keto group as dimethyl ketal and subsequent reduction with sodium borohydride of the corresponding 7- and 12-oxo functionalities. The same procedure gave also 3,12-diketo-7 alpha-hydroxy-cholanoic acid.