Exhibit 99.1
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BAKER
                                                         N E W S  R E L E A S E
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                                         CONTACT:     David Higie
                                         PHONE:       (412) 269-6449
                                         RELEASE:     Immediate (May 13, 2003)


BAKER TO ANNOUNCE FIRST QUARTER 2003 FINANCIAL RESULTS ON MAY 27


         PITTSBURGH -- Michael Baker Corporation (AMEX:BKR) announced today that
it will release its 2003 first quarter financial results following the market
close on Tuesday, May 27, and hold its conference call and webcast to discuss
the results at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, May 29.
         In this connection, the company will be notifying the Securities and
Exchange Commission that it needs additional time to file its Form 10-Q for the
2003 first quarter. This extra time is required by the company to ensure the
accuracy and quality of the financial information being provided by its
newly-implemented information systems.
         Based on information available to date, the company expects to report
net income below the $1.7 million reported in the 2002 first quarter. This
earnings shortfall is due to the overall mix of project work in the Energy
segment, which is yielding lower than expected margins; higher occupancy costs
and related relocation expenses for the company's largest office facility, which
also includes its headquarters, near Pittsburgh; and the costs associated with
the infrastructure and amortization of the new information systems.
         Additionally, as the company noted in its 2002 Annual Report to
Shareholders, it expected that its short-term liquidity during the first half of
2003 would be impacted by changes in its billing process related to the
implementation of the new information systems. Accordingly, the company recently
secured an additional $5.0 million, 90-day credit facility in order to maintain
liquidity.
         Michael Baker Corporation (www.mbakercorp.com) provides engineering and
energy expertise for public and private sector clients worldwide. The firm's
primary services include engineering design for the transportation and civil
infrastructure markets, operation and maintenance of oil and gas production
facilities, architecture, environmental services, and construction management
for building and transportation projects. Baker has more than 4,200 employees in
over 30 offices across the United States and internationally.

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