<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
September 30, 1999 Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements
of Operations of Birmingham Steel Corporation and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>      1,000

                                                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                     3-MOS                      3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        JUN-30-1999                JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                             SEP-30-1999                SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           978                        902
<SECURITIES>                                       0                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 79,389                     93,023
<ALLOWANCES>                                     626                      1,259
<INVENTORY>                                  111,630                    142,246
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             311,860                    350,290
<PP&E>                                       434,761                    431,002
<DEPRECIATION>                                10,647                      9,665
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               907,431                  1,158,014
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        156,480                    112,617
<BONDS>                                       12,500                     12,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0                          0
<PREFERRED>                                        0                          0
<COMMON>                                         299                        298
<OTHER-SE>                                   235,833                    460,309
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 907,431                  1,158,014
<SALES>                                      176,802                    207,502
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             176,802                    207,502
<CGS>                                        148,566                    178,454
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                148,566                    178,484
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               4,497                      1,363
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             6,278                      5,235
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                9,772                     17,749
<INCOME-TAX>                                   4,006                      6,823
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            5,766                     10,926
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0                          0
<CHANGES>                                          0                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                   5,766                     10,926
<EPS-BASIC>                                    .19                       0.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    .19                       0.03