A work setting system associated with a group of machine tools arranged in a production line for setting workpieces on pallets. The system includes a setting table section providing a location for setting a workpiece on a pallet, a work centering and clamping unit arranged around the setting table section for driving positioning jigs and clamping members to be attached on the pallet, a measuring unit measuring the dimensions of the workpiece on the pallet and supplying signals to the work centering and clamping unit which represents the measurements of the workpiece as positioning signals, a handling unit for handling the pallets, the workpieces and the jigs, and a control unit for controlling the work setting table section, the centering and clamping unit, the measuring unit and the handling unit in a conversational mode and also supplying and receiving information exchanged between control unit for the group of machine tools and a central processing unit superposing the control units.