<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SHEFFIELD
STEEL AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF AND FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                           1,076
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,072
<ALLOWANCES>                                       873
<INVENTORY>                                     36,932
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                58,964
<PP&E>                                          65,754
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 139,026
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,863
<BONDS>                                        117,430
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            36
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,016
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   139,026
<SALES>                                        136,594
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               136,594
<CGS>                                          109,428
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  109,428
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,320
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   215
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,723
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    943
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                943
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (8,023)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,080)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.93)