The present invention discloses novel fluoran compound useful as the lactone electron donative color-forming agents having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 are respectively hydrogen, methyl or ethyl groups; R.sub.3 is hydrogen or a methyl group; and R.sub.5 is a phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted with from one to five methyl groups. The compound of the invention is soluble in aromatic solvents as well as in aromatic-aliphatic mixed solvents and also has excellent light fastness after developing color.