A modification of the sol-gel method to obtain phase pure superconducting oxides is described. The method starts from organic salts of yttrium, barium and copper, such as acetates, and avoids the sudden and uncontrollable decomposition of the organic fraction which occurs if nitrates are used as starting materials. The aqueous solution obtained with citric acid in an alkaline medium is concentrated under vacuum. The solid so prepared is decomposed at about $300^{circ}C$ thus giving an oxide precursor containing well dispersed yttrium, barium and copper. Pyrolysis at 850 - $920^{circ}C$ followed by oxygen annealing gives the superconducting orthorhombic 123 phase. The results of TGA/DTA of the precursor, as well as XRD, electrical and magnetic property measurements on the pyrolysis products are presented and discussed.