The invention relates to a process for treating coal chemical waste water, wherein a method combining active material adsorption and biochemical treatment is adopted. The method comprises the following steps of: firstly, introducing coal chemical waste water in a waste water regulating reservoir; secondly, introducing the waste water subjected to adsorption treatment by an adsorption tank into a clarification reservoir for sedimentation; then introducing the waste water subjected to the treatment of the clarification reservoir into a biochemical unit for biochemical treatment; and finally, introducing the waste water subjected to the biochemical treatment into a sedimentation reservoir for sedimentation treatment. In the technical scheme, macromolecular organic pollutants are removed through adsorption, therefore, the requirement of the subsequent biochemical treatment is met, and the problems of insufficient utilization of pores of activated carbon and incomplete exertion of the adsorbability of the activated carbon due to the influence of sludge when the activated carbon is added into an activated sludge aeration tank in the prior art are solved; and the process for treating coal chemical waste water has high efficiency and can sufficiently utilize the pores of the activated carbon and ensure the full exertion of the adsorbability of the activated carbon.