<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SHEFFIELD
STEEL AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF AND FOR THE SECOND QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                             741
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,191
<ALLOWANCES>                                       808
<INVENTORY>                                     34,716
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                57,775
<PP&E>                                          65,006
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 132,788
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,308
<BONDS>                                         89,474
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            34
<OTHER-SE>                                       4,631
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   132,788
<SALES>                                         94,181
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                94,181
<CGS>                                           75,382
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   75,382
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,460
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   150
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,768
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,567
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,567
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,567
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .41