<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM BAYOU STEEL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         748,608
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               24,460,531
<ALLOWANCES>                                   352,965
<INVENTORY>                                 79,856,062
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           105,004,694
<PP&E>                                     129,449,604
<DEPRECIATION>                              39,115,207
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             199,271,685
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       34,914,686
<BONDS>                                     83,540,331
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       10,489,091
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       128,846
<OTHER-SE>                                  70,327,577
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               199,271,685
<SALES>                                    204,425,858
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           204,425,858
<CGS>                                      188,453,259
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              188,453,259
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             6,837,450
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               186,039
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           8,634,510
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,277,818)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,277,818)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,277,818)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.17)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.17)