EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
  We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of AK Steel Holding
Corporation and AK Steel Corporation on Form S-4 of our report dated January
23, 1996 appearing in this Prospectus, which is a part of this Registration
Statement, and to the reference to us under the heading "Independent Auditors"
in such Prospectus.
 
                                          DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Cincinnati, Ohio
January 13, 1997