Abstract. For the two cavity models whose upward and downward wall heights are different from each other, laminar heat transfer is studied numerically in a finite difference method. The effects of cavity configuration, free-stream velocity and buoyancy force on flow and temperature fields as well as heat transfer at the bottom surface are discussed.The flow pattern of DOF (Downward-Facing cavity)-model is more intricated than that of UPF (Upward-Facing cavity)-model, depending on the aspect ratio of cavity or main flow velocity. The mean Nusselt number Num at the bottom surface of both cavity models tends generally to increase with increasing Re~, or Grw/Re}. However, in the flow region of Rel~ >-500 for DOFcavity, the Nu,~ for 0.4 _-__ D~/D~ ~= 0.6 is somewhat lower than that obtained from the other cavities and does not always increase with increasing ReH.