To approximate the shape after the rolling to the target shape in a short time by driving a work roll bender and an intermediate roll bender when the difference in shape is not less than the specified value, and driving only an intermediate roll when the difference in shape is below the specified value to control the detected shape so as to approximate it to the target shape.

A roll stand ST4 comprises work rolls 13a, 13b, intermediate rolls 14a, 14b, and backup rolls 15a, 15b, and the intermediate rolls 14a, 14b are shiftable in the axial direction by hydraulic cylinders 22, 23. When the shape of a metal strip 11 detected by a shape detector provided on the outlet side of the roll stand ST4 is deviated from the target shape by a predetermined value or more, work roll benders 28-31 and intermediate roll benders 24-27 are driven, controlling the difference in shape so as to be rapidly reduced. When the difference in shape is below the predetermined value, only the intermediate roll benders 24-27 are driven to eliminate the hunting, and to obtain the target shape.