Optimization of the steel refining process is now in progress. Due to this, service conditions of refractories used for hot metal pretreatment, converter and secondary ladle refining are changed considerably. Selection of raw refractory materials and use of graphite are often effective in improving refractory qualities. However, to obtain good cost performance, improvement of operational conditions such as the appropriate slag composition and the decrease of tapping temperature is also necessary. In this paper, it is summarized how we have improved refractories and the operational methods in the steel refining process.