The present invention provides a novel benzene derivative useful as a preventive and medically treating medicine for arteriosclerosis, and a cholesterol O-acyl transferase inhibitor comprising the benzene derivative as an active ingredient.The benzene derivative according to the present invention is represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a carboxyl group which may be protected or a group represented by the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.5 represents a lower alkyl group or a hydroxyalkyl group and R.sup.6 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or the like; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represent a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group; and p is an integer of 1 to 6.