an apparatus for compression molding plastic articles , comprising at least one molding unit composed of an upper punch and a lower mold provided with a cavity for molding the articles , the punch and mold being aligned with each other and movable between a spaced position and a closer positions , feeders for feeding doses of plastic material to be molded , comprising at least one removal element for removing , in succession , individual doses from an extruder and depositing a removed dose in the molding cavity of the mold when it is spaced from the respective punch , supporting elements for temporarily supporting said dose above the molding cavity , associated with the mold , and actuators for actuating the supporting elements so as to release a dose into the cavity before compression start .