Si3N4/SiC nanocomposite powders were obtained from a preceramic polymeric network based on poly(methylsilane) as the in situ quasi-stoichiometric SiC source. These powders were constituted of nanosized SiC particles homogeneously distributed in the Si3N4 particulate matrix. beta-SiC whiskers were grown at 1400 °C in the pores of the matrix. At 1600 °C, the alpha -> beta Si3N4 phase transition took place, but no elemental silicon from Si3N4 decomposition was detected, evidencing the protective effect of the SiC phase.