PURPOSE: To satisfactorily control the shape between stands and to improve passability by taking in the signals from shape detectors during rolling and making setup calculation of rolling mills by the predetermined calculation sequence.

CONSTITUTION: The setup of four high mills 1... is executed by a processor 4 to which the information from a host computer 5 and the signals from the shape detectors 2 are inputted. The taken-in output signals are smoothed on the time axis. The processor 4 calculates the correction term for the setup. The processor determines the difference between the value calculated from the output signals of the detectors 2 and the shape on the outlet side of the each stand presumed by the calculation in the setup stage. The calculated correction term is used for the setup of the succeeding rolling material. The correction term is added to the presumed shape on the outlet side of each stand.