LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY
                   NUCOR CORPORATION FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORTS


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That I, James D. Hlavacek , the grantor,  do by these  presents  hereby
make, constitute and appoint F. Kenneth Iverson and Samuel Siegel , or either of
them, true and lawful  attorneys-in-fact for me and in my name, place and stead,
to sign my name in the  capacity  stated  and  where  required  to all Form 10-K
Annual  Reports of Nucor  Corporation  (commencing  with the Report for calendar
year 1995 ) filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission,  and any and all
amendments thereto.

         Granting and giving unto my attorneys-in-fact authority and power to do
and perform any and all other acts necessary or incident to the  performance and
execution of the powers herein expressly  granted,  with power to do and perform
all acts  authorized  hereby,  as fully as to all intents and purposes as I, the
grantor,   might  or  could  do  if  personally  present,  with  full  power  of
substitution.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of March
   , 1996 .

                                                               JAMES D. HLAVACEK

STATE OF   North Carolina    )
                             )ss:
COUNTY OF   Mecklenburg      )


         I, Joan L.  Davis , a Notary  Public  in and for the  state and  county
aforesaid,  do hereby  certify  that  James D.  Hlavacek  , the  grantor  of the
foregoing  Limited  Power of  Attorney,  bearing date on the 28th day of March ,
1996 , personally appeared before me in this jurisdiction, being personally well
known to me as the person who executed the said instrument, and acknowledged the
same to be the act and deed of the grantor.

         Given under my hand and seal this   28th   day of   March  ,  1996 .


                                                JOAN L. DAVIS
                                         NOTARY PUBLIC

                                         My commission expires:

                                                July 15, 2000