<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SHEFFIELD
STEEL AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER ENDED JULY 31, 1997 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                              18
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,473
<ALLOWANCES>                                       733
<INVENTORY>                                     35,964
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                59,462
<PP&E>                                          65,251
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 133,401
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,110
<BONDS>                                         93,794
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            34
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,820
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   133,401
<SALES>                                         47,717
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                47,717
<CGS>                                           38,309
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   38,309
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,711
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    75
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,957
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    755
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       755
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .220
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .220