The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for changing the effective contour of a running surface (8) of a working roller (3, 4) during the hot rolling of rolling stock in a roll stand (2) to form a rolled strip (1). The intention is to be able to change the contour of the running surface (8) during the hot rolling by means of the invention. This object is achieved according to the invention by the axial displacement of the working rollers (3, 4) in opposite directions by a displacement distance s, wherein s is greater or less than





Δ
⁢



⁢
r


tan
⁢



⁢

(
α
)






and Δr indicates the wear of the running surface (8) in the radial direction (R) and α indicates the pitch angle of the conical portion (7) of the respective working roller (3, 4).