A bacterial strain isolated from a compost-packed biofilter after 100 days of operation was identified as Rhodococcus pyridinovorans PYJ-1, with a similarity of 99%. This strain removed benzene, toluene and m-xylene (BTX) at 2~30 mg/L within 6~20 hrs in batch cultures. Optimum pH and temperature for BTX removal were pH 7 and $32^{circ}C$. This strain also removed a mixture of BTX at component concentrations of 2~5 mg/L.