Abstract: An apparatus and method for centering a pipe string within a slip bowl to facilitate the setting of a set of slips about the pipe string wherein the slip bowl is disposed in a floor of a drilling rig and the pipe string is suspended from the drilling rig so that the pipe string extends downwardly through the slip bowl and into a well bore. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes at least two pairs of hydraulic cylinders mounted beneath the rig floor about the centerline of the slip bowl. Each pair of cylinders connected by a flexible cable through which the pipe string is run. The pipe string is centered by actuating the cylinders to a retracted position thereby forcibly drawing the pipe string to the center of the slip bowl. Alternatively, the cylinders are provided with a pipe engaging member configured for guiding engagement with the pipe string to push the pipe string into alignment with the center of the slip bowl when the cylinders are actuated to an extended position.