Exhibit 15-B



Board of Directors
National Steel Corporation

We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the following Registration
Statements:

  Form S-8, No. 33-51991, pertaining to the 1994 and 1995 Stock Grants to Union
  Employees,
  Form S-8, No. 33-51081, pertaining to the 1993 National Steel Corporation
  Long-Term Incentive Plan,
  Form S-8, No. 33-51083, pertaining to the 1993 National Steel Corporation Non-
  Employee Director's Stock Option Plan, and
  Form S-8, No. 33-51087, pertaining to the National Steel Retirement Savings
  Plan and National Steel Represented Employee Retirement Savings Plan,

of our report dated May 14, 2001 relating to the unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements of National Steel Corporation and subsidiaries that are
included in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001.



                                      Ernst & Young LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana
May 14, 2001