<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