The effect of differences in billet cross sections on rolling force, torque, and stock speed was determined. The initial variations in size were not compensated by changing the number of revolutions and/or the roll gap to allow for the change in stretch and spread. It is concluded from the measurements that, if not only the length, but also the cross section, of semifinished products is to be optimized, higher investments for drives, facilities to regulate the number of revolutions, and mill stiffness are necessary.