CMC TO BUY CONTROL OF
                        POLISH STEEL MILL HUTA ZAWIERCIE

     Dallas -- July 22, 2003 -- Commercial Metals Company (CMC:NYSE),
headquartered in the Dallas suburb of Irving, Texas, today announced that its
subsidiary, Commercial Metals (International) AG, has entered into a definitive
agreement to purchase a controlling interest in Huta Zawiercie S.A., of
Zawiercie, Poland. CMC will pay approximately $51 million (200 million Polish
Zloty) cash to acquire the 71.1% of the outstanding shares of Huta Zawiercie
held by Impexmetal S.A., Warsaw, Poland. The Polish State Treasury controls most
of the remaining shares.

     "This is an exciting strategic opportunity - modern facilities staffed with
skilled, hard working employees in a key central European location," said
Stanley A. Rabin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of CMC. "We
feel that Huta Zawiercie, which has reported profits in each of the prior six
years, is the pearl of the Polish steel industry and not a turnaround situation.
I cannot say enough about how impressed we are with the dedication of the
existing work force and the support of the citizens of Zawiercie. As both an
operator of minimills manufacturing and selling similar products combined with
our long term presence in marketing and distribution in Europe, we think we can
assist in growing the business. CMC's strong financial position has enabled us
to pursue this opportunity. Apart from our initial investment, we anticipate
Huta Zawiercie will be self funding."

     Huta Zawiercie is the third largest steel producer in Poland with annual
capacity estimated at one million metric tons. Facilities include two electric
arc furnaces, ladle furnaces and casters. Principal products are rebar and wire
rod produced on two separate rolling mills. Impexmetal acquired the shares
through a privatization transaction in 1995 and has made continuous improvements
to the operations while owning the controlling interest.

     The purchase, which is subject to the approval of various regulatory
agencies and satisfaction of certain conditions, is anticipated to be completed
within three months.

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     Commercial Metals Company and subsidiaries manufacture, recycle and market
steel and metal products, related materials and services through a network of
over 130 locations including 4 steel minimills, 29 steel fabrication plants, a
castellated and cellular beam fabricating plant, 5 steel joist plants, 4 steel
fence post manufacturing plants, 2 heat treating plants, a railcar rebuilding
facility, 29 construction-related product warehouses, an industrial products
supply company, a railroad salvage company, a copper tube mill, 44 metal
recycling facilities and 16 marketing and distribution offices in the United
States and in strategic overseas markets.

     Statements made in this press release that relate to future events,
expectations, performance or financial results of CMC are forward-looking
statements within the meanings of securities laws. CMC cautions that, by their
nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. In particular
there can be no assurance that the transaction discussed in this press release
will be consummated or that the timing, terms or results of any transaction will
be advantageous to CMC. The forward-looking statements contained in this press
release speak only as of this date, and the Company does not assume any
obligation to update.

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Contact:    Debbie Okle
            Director, Public Relations
            214.689.4354