May 11, 2004


                                                          Media:  Josh Reiss
                                                          (713) 267-3740
                                                          Investors:  Ron Kurtz
                                                          (713) 267-3686




                MAXXAM REPORTS RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 2004

HOUSTON, Texas (May 11, 2004) - MAXXAM Inc. (AMEX: MXM) today reported a net
loss of $20.3 million, or $3.40 per share, for the first quarter of 2004,
compared to a net loss of $10.5 million, or $1.61 per share, for the first
quarter of 2003. Net sales for the first quarter of 2004 totaled $68.9 million,
compared to $74.9 million in the same period of 2003.

MAXXAM reported an operating loss of $6.6 million for the first quarter of 2004,
compared to an operating loss of $1.2 million for the comparable period of 2003.

The net loss for the first quarter of 2004 increased from 2003 primarily because
results for the 2003 period included an $8.0 million insurance reimbursement for
certain costs incurred in connection with the OTS and FDIC matters. In addition,
operating losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, increased from the prior
year period as a result of lower net sales from the Company's forest products
and real estate operations.

FOREST PRODUCTS OPERATIONS

Despite continuing improvements in lumber prices, forest products net sales
decreased for the 2004 first quarter from the prior year primarily due to an
unfavorable shift in the mix of lumber sold from higher priced redwood lumber to
Douglas-fir. This shift was the result of lower availability of redwood logs.
Forest products operations experienced a small operating loss for the first
quarter of 2004 as compared to operating income of $0.8 million in the first
quarter of 2003, largely due to the lower net sales.

REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS

Net sales for the real estate segment decreased for the 2004 first quarter from
the prior year, primarily due to lower real estate sales at the Company's Palmas
del Mar and Mirada developments. Partially offsetting this decline was an
increase in real estate sales at the Company's Fountain Hills development. The
decline in sales in turn resulted in a higher operating loss for the 2004 first
quarter.

RACING OPERATIONS

Net sales for the racing segment decreased for the 2004 first quarter from the
prior year primarily due to lower average daily attendance at both Sam Houston
Race Park and Valley Race Park. The racing segment's operating income was flat
for the first quarter of 2004 versus the year ago period as cost reductions
offset the impact of the lower revenues.


OTHER MATTERS

Operating expenses for the corporate segment increased for the 2004 first
quarter principally due to an increase in stock-based compensation expense,
which is adjusted as the market value of the Company's common stock changes.

As previously announced in prior earnings statements, MAXXAM may from time to
time purchase shares of its common stock on national exchanges or in privately
negotiated transactions.





                                   172-051104


Company press releases may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. The company cautions that any such forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance and involve significant risks and
uncertainties, and that actual results may vary materially from those expressed
or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.






                          MAXXAM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
               (In millions of dollars, except per share amounts)


                                                                                             Three Months Ended
                                                                                                  March 31,
                                                                                       --------------------------------
                                                                                          2004                2003
                                                                                       ------------       -------------
                                                                                                 (Unaudited)
Net sales:
    Forest products ..............................................................     $      43.4        $       45.3
    Real estate ..................................................................            11.0                14.0
    Racing (1) ...................................................................            14.5                15.6
                                                                                       ------------       -------------
                                                                                              68.9                74.9
                                                                                       ------------       -------------


Costs and expenses ...............................................................           (75.5)              (76.1)
                                                                                       ------------       -------------

Operating income (loss):
    Forest products ..............................................................            (0.3)                0.8
    Real estate ..................................................................            (1.8)               (0.7)
    Racing .......................................................................             0.6                 0.6
    Corporate ....................................................................            (5.1)               (1.9)
                                                                                       ------------       -------------
                                                                                              (6.6)               (1.2)
                                                                                       ------------       -------------

Other income (expense):
    Investment and interest income ...............................................             3.8                 1.3
    Other income, net ............................................................             1.3                 8.7
    Interest expense .............................................................           (18.8)              (19.3)
                                                                                       ------------       -------------
Loss before income taxes .........................................................           (20.3)              (10.5)
Provision for income taxes .......................................................               -                   -
                                                                                       ------------       -------------
Net loss ......................... ...............................................     $     (20.3)       $      (10.5)
                                                                                       ============       =============


Basic and diluted loss per common and common equivalent share ....................     $     (3.40)       $      (1.61)
                                                                                       ============       =============







(1)   Pari-mutuel costs and expenses for both periods are now included in the
      racing segment's costs and expenses. Previously, these costs and expenses
      were netted against gross revenues.