<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
the condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2000 and
condensed consolidated statement of income for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2000 and related footnotes and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000771790
<NAME> Steel Technologies Inc.
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. Dollars
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 4,469
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 68,366
<ALLOWANCES> (1,327)
<INVENTORY> 79,925
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 155,055
<PP&E> 200,441
<DEPRECIATION> (82,227)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 315,389
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 57,627
<BONDS> 115,394
<COMMON> 17,287
0
0
<OTHER-SE> 123,556
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 289,105
<SALES> 461,297
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 461,297
<CGS> 410,724
<TOTAL-COSTS> 410,724
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 27,353
<LOSS-PROVISION> 329
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,043
<INCOME-PRETAX> 16,177
<INCOME-TAX> 5,965
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 10,212
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 10,212
<EPS-BASIC> 0.94
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.94
</TABLE>