Tri-heterocyclic compound of formula (I) wherein each of W, X and Y is carbon or nitrogen; each of U and Z is CR.sup.2, NR.sup.13, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur etc.; A ring is carbocyclic ring, heterocyclic ring; R.sup.1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, NR.sup.4R.sup.5, OR.sup.6 etc.; R.sup.3 is carbocyclic ring, heterocyclic ring; and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a process for the preparation thereof, a pharmaceutical comprising them as an active ingredient. A compound of formula (I) is useful, in order to possess corticotropin releasing factor receptor antagonistic activity, for the prevention and/or treatment of depression, anxiety, eating disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, peptic ulcer, irritable bowl syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, drug addiction or alcohol dependence syndrome etc.