PURPOSE: To prevent the occurrence of local surface cracks when a continuously cast slab is rolled under ununiform stress, by keeping the part of the slab where tensile stress is applied to the surface during the rolling at a specified temp. or above for a time before rolling the cast slab.

CONSTITUTION: When a continuously cast slab is rolled under stress which is not uniform in the lateral or thickness direction, the part of the slab where tensile stress is applied to the surface during the rolling is kept at ≥900°C for a desired time before rolling the cast slab. Thus, the occurrence of local surface cracks in the lateral or thickness direction of the slab due to tensile stress during working is prevented, and a steel plate or steel sections can be directly manufactured from the continuously cast slab by hot working with high productivity in a high yield.