<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
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .22
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