Phenanthrene, one of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with three aromatic rings, is a ubiquitous contaminant in the environment. Phenanthrene has been identified in ambient air, drinking water and sediment. We examined the effect of phenanthrene on steroid hormones level of olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Plasma testosterone level was increased significantly in fish exposed to phenanthrene($geq1.0 mu M$) at 4th week. However, there was no significant changes of estradiol-17$eta$ concentration in fish exposed to phenanthrene. The physiological variation in phenanthrene exposed fish was a dramatic increase in plasma cortisol level. It is concluded that chronic exposure of phenanthrene can induce increase of plasma testosterone levels and elevate the plasma cortisol level in flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus.