The drying section of a paper-making machine has a first drying group of a horizontal row of first drying cylinders which alternate with reversing rollers. A first upper web support belt wraps over the top of a first drying cylinder and then wraps the associated first reversing roller. An adjacent second drying group of a horizontal row of second drying cylinders which alternate with reversing rollers. A second lower web support belt wraps over the bottom side of a second drying cylinder and then wraps the associated second reversing roller. The drying cylinders and their reversing rollers are supported on two longitudinal beams which extend beneath the rows of drying cylinders. The drying cylinders of the second group lie at least at the same height above or higher above the longitudinal beams of the drying cylinders than the drying cylinders of the first group. The seocnd drying group is of a height to provide a clearance space over the floor and beneath lower support belt return path guiding rollers. A hood and an intermediate floor between the beams encloses the drying section to contain vapors.