<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SHEFFIELD
STEEL AND SUBSIDARIES 10-Q AS OF AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER ENDED JULY 31, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                              18
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,872
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     42,780
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                65,280
<PP&E>                                          67,539
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 141,984
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,940
<BONDS>                                        100,572
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            34
<OTHER-SE>                                       6,747
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   141,984
<SALES>                                         45,203
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                45,203
<CGS>                                           37,547
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   37,547
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,696
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,913
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (881)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (881)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (881)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (.261)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (.261)