Abstract: The object of the invention is to apply an appropriate temperature profile to a bloc to be extruded, at which the extrusion process may be optimized For that purpose, the metal blocks (10a) to be extruded are heated (furnace 2) up to an appropriate extrusion temperature for that metal, are stored at that temperature (holding chamber 3) and are chilled (chamber 5) according to regulation areas (18) in synchronism with the extrusion cycle. Regulation in the areas (18) is carried out by influencing the amount and/or temperature of the coolant, and/or cooling duration, so that an axial and radial temperature distribution is obtained at the block.