The present research deals with structural analysis and optimal design of the heating drum of a hot-rolling press for medium density fiberboard. Stress concentration in the journal of the heating drum is analyzed by the submodel technique of the finite element method. The fatigue life under operating conditions is analyzed and evaluated by the stress-life theory. Shape optimal design problems, to minimize the maximum stress occurring in the journal, are formulated and shape parameters of the corner fillets of the journal are defined as the design variables. The problems are solved by the numerical optimization method and optimal shapes are found. The optimal designs are shown to be reliable in terms of the maximum stress and the fatigue life.