Exhibit 99
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                                                                          Page 5

                                                 CONTACT:  RICHARD J. GONZALEZ
                                                 VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL
                                                 OFFICER, TREASURER & SECRETARY
                                                         (504) 652-4900
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                            BAYOU STEEL CORPORATION
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                         SIGNS PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH
                         -----------------------------
                       TENNESSEE VALLEY STEEL CORPORATION
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   LaPlace, Louisiana (February 3, 1995) --- Bayou Steel Corporation today
reported that it has entered into a purchase agreement with Tennessee Valley
Steel Corporation to acquire substantially all of the assets of Tennessee Valley
for a purchase price of $30.5 million.

  Tennessee Valley is currently operating under the protection of Chapter 11 of
the United States Bankruptcy Code and the purchase of assets will be subject to
the approval of the bankruptcy court as well as regulatory agencies, Bayou
Steel's obtaining permits necessary to operate the assets, and certain other
conditions.

  The bankruptcy court has established bidding procedures to be followed by any
other bidder interested in acquiring the assets.  Such procedures require
another bidder to bid at least $1.5 million more than the purchase price
contemplated by the purchase agreement with additional bids required to be in
$500,000 increments.  In addition, if another bidder is successful, Tennessee
Valley is required to reimburse Bayou Steel for its expenses (up to $1 million)
incurred in connection with its offer to purchase the assets.

  Commenting on the pending acquisition, Jerry Pitts, President and Chief
Operating Officer of Bayou Steel, said, "We are pleased to take this important
next step in acquiring the assets of Tennessee Valley.  We continue to feel that
the Tennessee Valley assets complement and offer the potential for further
growth of Bayou Steel's existing product  lines.  We look forward to a
successful consummation of the acquisition."

  The parties contemplate that the acquisition will be completed in March 1995.

  Bayou Steel Corporation operates a steel minimill producing structural steel
products.  Located on the Mississippi River in LaPlace, Louisiana, the Company
operates three stocking locations along the inland waterway system near
Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Tulsa.  The common stock of Bayou Steel Corporation is
traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "BYX".