A press working control method for controlling the press working operation of a press having a pressure cylinder for applying a working pressure to a workpiece, a press slide operatively connected to the pressure cylinder and carrying a movable die, a bed fixedly mounted with a fixed die, a plurality of control cylinders supporting the press slide in a level position during the press working operation, and a press control system for carrying out the press working control method. The press control system comprises a first pressure detector for detecting the operative pressure of the pressure cylinder, quick-response control valves each for regulating the height of the control cylinder, height detectors each for detecting the height of the control cylinder, second pressure detectors each for detecting the operative pressure of the control cylinder, servovalves each for detecting the operative pressure of the control cylinder, and a control unit including a computer for deciding manipulated variables for the height and operative pressure control of the control cylinders on the basis of data obtained by the detectors. The respective heights of the control cylinders are regulated individually so that the press slide is maintained in a level position during the press working operation, while the respective operative pressure of the control cylinders are regulated so that a desired working pressure is applied to the workpiece.