To profitably obtain the subject derivative useful as an intermediate for synthesizing steroid compounds and so on through several kinds of intermediates comprising new compounds by allowing a 17-keto-steroid derivative to react with a halonitrile and further performing reactions in several steps.

This method for producing oxoetiocholenic acid of formula VI comprises allowing a halonitrile to act on a 17-keto-steroid derivative of formula I [rings A and B are each a group of formula II (R1 is an ether or ester residue) or the like] in the presence of a base, treating the obtained new intermediate of formula III (the waved line exhibits a mixture of isomers) having a functional group at the 3-position with a hydrogen acid of the formula: HX (X is a halogen) in an anhydrous state, protecting the produced hydroxy functional group in the form of an ester, allowing a hydrogen halide-removing agent to act on the obtained new intermediate of formula IV (Z is the residue of a hydroxy-protecting ester group), hydrolyzing the obtained new intermediate of formula V in the presence of an alkali, and subsequently treating the hydrolysate with an acid.