To prevent the generation of slip and surface flaws of rolls when rolling a metallic strip by driving only one work roll.

A rolling schedule, rolling speed, screw-down location, screw- down/releasing speed of a roll and formula (1) by which the relationship between the peripheral speed of the driven work roll and an elapsed time is expressed are read out (a1). Two work rolls 7, 6 are made into kiss roll (a2), the peripheral speed V1 of the roll is predetermined by calculating a required time Δt1 for releasing the roll is calculated and the peripheral speed of the driving work roll 7 is adjusted to V1 (a3-a5). By calculating the tip position of the steel strip 2, roll release is started and, by adjusting the peripheral speed of the driving work roll 7 to a rolling speed V2, rolling is started (a6-a9). By calculating a required time Δt2 for screwing down the roll, the peripheral speed V3 of the driven work roll 6 at Δt2 after completing the rolling and the screw-down of the roll is started, the peripheral speed of the driving work roll 7 is adjusted to V3 and the two work rolls 7, 6 are made in the kiss roll (a10-a15).