We present measurements of the absolute absorption intensity of the weak fifth overtone of the CH-stretch vibration of benzene at 16 550 cm(-1). By using cavity ring-down spectroscopy, it is possible to obtain directly the absolute value of the oscillator strength of the detected transition (f = (5.9 +/- 0.8) x 10(-11)). For this purpose, we had to develop a means of heating the cavity, mirrors. The influence of the mirror heating on the measured spectra is discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.