A process is described for preparing flame resistant, nontoxic vinyl polymers which contain phosphazene groups and which do not emit any toxic or corrosive products when they are oxidatively degraded. Homopolymers, copolymers, and terpolymers of a styrene based monomer are prepared by polymerizing at least one oxidized styrylphosphine monomer from a group of organic azides, or by polymerizing p-diphenylphosphinestyrene and then oxidizing that monomer with an organoazide from the group of (C6H5)2P(O)N3, (C6H5O)2P(O)N3, (C6H5)2C3N3(N3), and C6H5C3N3(N3)2. Copolymers can also be prepared by copolymerizing styrene with at least one oxidized styrylphosphine monomer
