The transformation and development of resource-based cities is a worldwide problem.Liaoning Province,as one of the earliest provinces with the start of urbanization and industrialization in China,could play an important exemplary role in the whole country to realize the transformation and development of resource-based cities.Based on the panel data from 2005 to 2020,uses the lead coefficient method and regression analysis model to measure the direction and influencing factors of industrial transformation,expounds the problems of transformation,analyzes the causes,and puts forward transformation strategies and paths.The results show that the population reduction trend of resource-based cities in Liaoning Province will have been existed for a long time.Existing industries have not yet completely broken their dependence on mineral resources.The lead coefficient of the secondary industry shows a trend of first decreasing and then increasing,and the leading coefficient of the primary industry and tertiary industry first increasing and then decreasing obviously.From 2015 to 2020,only one industrial sector in Fuxin City,Panjin City and Fushun City had an advance coefficient greater than 1,which is prone to fall into the dilemma of a single industrial structure.The level of higher education,social fixed asset investment and urban population ratio have a significant positive effect on the transformation and upgrading of resource-based urban industries (P<0.01),while the employment level has a significant negative impact (P<0.05).The transformation of resource-based cities in Liaoning Province should start from encouraging fertility,attracting talents to return,upgrading resource-based industries,cultivating recycling industries,supporting new agriculture and tourism,and increasing regional opening up to attract investment,while paying attention to ecological protection,urban structure optimization and ensuring people's livelihood,so as to achieve comprehensive urban,economic,ecological and social transformation.