<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the December
31, 1994 Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income of
Birmingham Steel Corporation and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1994
<CASH>                                           18681
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    95872
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1456
<INVENTORY>                                     163165
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                282593
<PP&E>                                          501489
<DEPRECIATION>                                  111192
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  715536
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            63868
<BONDS>                                         142500
<COMMON>                                           295
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      458922
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    715536
<SALES>                                         423839
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                423839
<CGS>                                           359570
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   359570
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  1325
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                4530
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  41826
<INCOME-TAX>                                     17252
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              24574
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     24574
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .84