In a case where a semiconductor device is produced comprising at least one semiconductor element, an isolation region surrounding the semiconductor element and a thick silicon oxide layer lying on and around the semiconductor element, the thick oxide layer is formed by thermally-oxidizing the epitaxial layer having a buried layer and, at the same time, the isolation region is formed in the epitaxial layer by heating for thermal oxidation. Prior to a step of introducing impurities into the epitaxial layer, a patterned thin silicon oxide layer is formed. This thin silicon oxide layer is varied into the thick oxide layer by the thermal-oxidation treatment.