The invention provides a foamed body of thermoplastic resin having a high
expansion ratio, desired shape and cells of desired diameter, especially
fine cells. The foamed body of thermoplastic resin is produced by filling
the thermoplastic resin containing a foaming agent into a cavity 31 of a
mold 2a and thereafter enlarging the cavity 31 to expand the resin. In
this process, the cavity 31 is completely filled with the resin as melted
and containing the foaming agent, then held in its shape as filled with
the resin and enlarged to an increased final cavity width upon the
average temperature filled in the cavity 31 reaching the range from the
melting point of the resin to the melting point plus 30.degree. C.