Abstract: In the rolling of a metal strip in a rolling mill which has a rolling mill train of one or more roll stands, before the metal strip enters the rolling mill train the roll stand are each given a presetting in accordance with a predicted necessary roll force F.sub.i during rolling in roll stand i, which rolling force F.sub.i is determined by the formula F.sub.i =K.sub.i *KSB.sub.i, in which K.sub.i is a multiplication factor and KSB.sub.i is the resistance to deformation of the metal strip during rolling through the roll stand i. To improve the average quality of the rolled product and to shorten the "learning" time when changing products, the resistance to deformation KSB.sub.i is chosen equal to an average rolling stress T for a strain E in the metal strip in roll stand i, the relationship between the rolling stress T and strain E during rolling being determined by the formula T=C.f(E,E.sub.c), in which C and E.sub.c have values dependent on the material of the strip, E.sub.c being a critical strain.