Phenanthrene ($C_{14}H_{10}$) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with three aromatic rings, and it can be produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Comet assay was used to examine the oxidative DNA damage of lymphocytes by phenanthrene and to measure the suppressive effects of ginseng extract on the DNA damage in this investigation. The in vitro oxidative DNA damage by phenanthrene increased in a dose-dependent manner in the lymphocyte. However, the DNA damage was significantly inhibited by ascorbate. Moreover, pretreatment, cotreatment and posttreatment with ginseng extract enhanced lymphocyte resistance to the phenanthrene-induced DNA damage. Phenanthrene enhanced the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and the elevated reactive oxygen species level was reduced by treatment with ginseng extract.