We present a detailed study of the evolution of massive stars of masses 15, 20, 25, and 30M_{Sun}_ assuming solar-like initial chemical composition. The stellar sequences were evolved through the advanced burning phases up to the end of core oxygen burning. We present a careful analysis of the physical characteristics of the stellar models. In particular, we investigate the effect of the still-unsettled reaction ^12^C({alpha},{gamma})^16^O on the advanced evolution by using recent compilations of this rate.