EXHIBIT 32.1

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
             PURSUANT TO TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 1350
      AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


I, Michael D. Siegal, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Olympic Steel,
Inc. (the "Company"), certify that to the best of my knowledge, based upon a
review of this annual report on Form 10-K:

         (1) The report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

         (2) The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
         the Company.

         By:  /s/ Michael D. Siegal
              ---------------------
         Michael D. Siegal
         Olympic Steel, Inc.
         Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

         March 26, 2004