<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Gulf States
Steel, Inc. of Alabama's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended April 30, 2000, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-2000
<CASH> 3,493
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 38,962
<ALLOWANCES> (740)
<INVENTORY> 42,364
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 91,271
<PP&E> 276,602
<DEPRECIATION> (92,723)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 275,682
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 99,169
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 36
<OTHER-SE> (73,770)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 275,682
<SALES> 100,910
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 100,910
<CGS> 92,374
<TOTAL-COSTS> 97,958
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 5,681
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,550
<INCOME-PRETAX> (4,279)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,279)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (4,279)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.19)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.19)
</TABLE>