<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the June 30, 1998 Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Operations of Birmingham Steel Corporation and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> Year <FISCAL-YEAR-END> Jun-30-1998 <PERIOD-END> Jun-30-1998 <CASH> 902 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 121,854 <ALLOWANCES> 1,837 <INVENTORY> 243,275 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 393,998 <PP&E> 978,546 <DEPRECIATION> 221,051 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,244,778 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 156,324 <BONDS> 53,500 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 298 <OTHER-SE> 460,309 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,244,778 <SALES> 1,136,019 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,136,019 <CGS> 1,018,620 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,018,620 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 34,238 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 29,008 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,793 <INCOME-TAX> 1,164 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,629 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,629 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.05 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.05