An austenitic stainless steel excellect in high temperature strength and creep rupture ducitility which comprises, on the percent by mass basis, C: 0.03-0.12%, Si: 0.2-2%, Mn: 0.1-3%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.01% or less, Ni: more than 18% and less than 25%, Cr: more than 22% and less than 30%, Co: 0.04-0.8%, Ti: 0.002% or more and less than 0.01%, Nb: 0.1-1%, V: 0.01-1%, B: more than 0.0005% and 0.2% or less, sol. Al: 0.0005% or more and less than 0.03%, N: 0.1-0.35% and O (Oxygen): 0.001-0.008%, with the balance being Fe and impurities. The austenitic stainless steel may contain a specified amount of one or more element(s) of Mo and W, and/or a specified amount of one or more element(s) of Mg, Zr, Ca, REM, Pd and Hf.