EXHIBIT 99.1


                    U.S. Aggregates Announces Termination of
                        Sale of Southeastern Operations


                Announces Amendment to Existing Credit Facility


DRAPER,  Utah,  Oct. 15  /PRNewswire/  -- U.S.  Aggregates,  (NYSE:  AGA - news)
announced  today  the  termination  of an  agreement  to sell  its  Southeastern
operations to Florida Rock, (NYSE: FRK - news). As previously announced,  due to
conditions stemming from delays in receiving necessary  approvals,  Florida Rock
had requested certain contract  modifications  including a substantial reduction
in purchase  price.  The companies  mutually  concluded that they were unable to
reach agreement on these modifications.

The Company also announced that it has reached an agreement in principle subject
to  documentation  with its  senior  secured  lenders  for an  extension  of its
existing credit facility to November 16. In light of the termination of the sale
agreement, the Company continues to negotiate further with its lenders regarding
additional financial alternatives.

Founded in 1994,  U.S.  Aggregates,  Inc. ("USAI ") is a producer of aggregates.
Aggregates consist of crushed stone, sand and gravel. The Company's products are
used  primarily  for   construction   and  maintenance  of  highways  and  other
infrastructure projects as well as for commercial and residential construction.

Certain matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements and
information  based on  management's  belief as well as  assumptions  made by and
information  currently  available to management.  Such statements are subject to
risks,  uncertainties  and assumptions  including,  among other matters,  future
growth in the construction  industry; the ability of U.S. Aggregates to complete
acquisitions and effective  integration of acquired  companies'  operations;  to
fund its  liquidity;  and  general  risks  related to the  markets in which U.S.
Aggregates  operates.  Should one or more of these risks materialize,  or should
underlying  assumptions  prove incorrect,  actual results may differ  materially
from those projected.  Additional  information  regarding these risk factors and
other  uncertainties  may be found in the Company's  filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.