<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM RELIANT
BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES' CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR
THE QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 1, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-01-1999
<CASH>                                           1,702
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,810
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,905
<INVENTORY>                                     24,135
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                61,034
<PP&E>                                          73,159
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,850
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 241,367
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          238,123<F1>
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      4,583
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     (5,915)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   241,367
<SALES>                                        140,855
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               140,855
<CGS>                                          109,018
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  109,018
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   445
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,627
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (16,177)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (78)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (16,099)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (16,099)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Includes $189,837 long-term debt currently being renegotiated.
</FN>