This invention provides an optical information recording medium that has, on a substrate, a recording layer containing a cyanine dye represented by the general formula: ##STR1## (wherein, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 may be the same or different and each stands for a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group; X stands for a perhalogenate ion, a toluenesulfonate ion or an alkylsulfate ion; n stands for an integrer of 0 or 1-3; a first halogen atom is present in at least one of each 4, 6 and 7-positions of the indole and indolenine rings; a second halogen atom may be present in each 5-position of said rings; and at lest one group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, carboxy, allyl and alkylcarbonyl may be present in at least one of each 4, 5, 6 and 7-positions of said rings.) and, if necessary, a transition metal complex or a salt of said complex with a cation.