<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the March 31, 1996 Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income of Birmingham Steel Corporation and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1996 <CASH> 20,980 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 101,704 <ALLOWANCES> 1,695 <INVENTORY> 206,930 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 349,909 <PP&E> 631,285 <DEPRECIATION> 125,067 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 914,374 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 104,252 <BONDS> 307,500 <COMMON> 297 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 446,947 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 914,374 <SALES> 601,707 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 601,707 <CGS> 552,912 <TOTAL-COSTS> 552,912 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 21,425 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,037 <INCOME-PRETAX> (8,042) <INCOME-TAX> (2,479) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (5,563) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (5,563) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.19) <EPS-DILUTED> (.19)