Abstract: A roll changing mechanism for the rolls of a rolling mill which are mounted in a roll stand and which define therebetween a pass line extending in a given direction includes a roll stand changing cart movable in a direction parallel to the direction of the pass line, a horizontal turntable on the roll stand changing cart having guideways thereon for receiving the roll stand and a swiveling frame adapted to have the roll stand supported therein and mounted for rotation in a vertical plane to move the roll stand through an angle of 90.degree.. The mechanism further includes a first conveyor device extending on one side of the swiveling frame between the roll stand changing cart and the swiveling frame for engaging the roll stand and for moving the roll stand from the changing cart to the swivel frame.