The present invention provides tricyclic indoles and (4,5-dihydro) indoles of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein the ring A represents a fused pyrazole, pyridine or pyrimidine, means either simple or double carbon-carbon bond and R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in the specification. Further objects of the invention are a process for the preparation of the compounds of the formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and methods for treating cell proliferative disorders. As a matter of fact, the compounds of the formula (I) are useful, in therapy, in the treatment of diseases associated with a disregulated protein kinase activity, in particular Cdc7 and AKT kinase activity, like cancer.