A positive-tone or negative-tone radiation sensitive resin composition which allows easy preparation of a resist, exhibits superior storage stability, high sensitivity, and high resolution capability, and is capable of producing excellent resist patterns. The positive-tone type composition comprises (A) a disulfonylmethane derivative in which the main chain with two sulfonyl groups bonded forms a three to eleven member cyclic carbon structure and (B) (a) a resin protected by an acid decomposable group or (b) an alkali-soluble resin and an alkali-solubility control agent. The negative-tone type composition comprises the component (A), (C) an alkali-soluble resin, and (D) a cross-linking agent.