<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the 
December 31, 1996 Consolidated Balance Sheets and Cosolidated Statements
of Operations 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-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   Dec-31-1996
<CASH>                                               2,747
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      107,179
<ALLOWANCES>                                         1,546
<INVENTORY>                                        219,519
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   341,972
<PP&E>                                             842,837
<DEPRECIATION>                                     151,832
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   1,114,800  
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              253,734
<BONDS>                                            333,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                               297
<OTHER-SE>                                         455,471
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     1,114,800
<SALES>                                            443,562 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   443,562
<CGS>                                              399,208
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      399,208
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     2,534
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   8,633
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     20,793
<INCOME-TAX>                                         8,525
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 12,268
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0 
<NET-INCOME>                                        12,268
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          .43 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .43