<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000833226 <NAME> CHAPARRAL STEEL COMPANY <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1995 <CASH> 9,051 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 56,276 <ALLOWANCES> 2,583 <INVENTORY> 105,461 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 185,612 <PP&E> 505,192 <DEPRECIATION> 282,308 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 474,281 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 66,163 <BONDS> 80,990 <COMMON> 2,994 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 271,818 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 474,281 <SALES> 138,141 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 138,141 <CGS> 112,081 <TOTAL-COSTS> 112,081 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 120 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,620 <INCOME-PRETAX> 10,726 <INCOME-TAX> 4,296 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,428 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,428 <EPS-PRIMARY> .22 <EPS-DILUTED> .22