SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                 WASHINGTON, DC

                                   FORM 12B-25

                                                   Commission File Number 1-9820

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

(Check One):   [ ] Form 10-K  [ ] Form 11-K  [ ] Form 20-F  [X] Form 10-Q
               [ ] Form N-SAR

For Period Ended:  March 31, 2002


[  ]  Transition Report on Form 10-K      [  ]  Transition Report on Form 10-Q
[  ]  Transition Report on Form 20-F      [  ]  Transition Report on Form N-SAR
[  ]  Transition Report on Form 11-K

     For the Transition Period Ended: _____________________________________

         Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission
has verified any information contained herein.

         If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above,
identify the item(s) to which the notification relates: This notification
relates to additions and/or revisions to Items 6, 7, and 8 of the Form 10-K.


                                     PART I
                             REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Full name of registrant             Birmingham Steel Corporation

Former name if applicable _____________________________________________________

Address of principal executive office (Street and number)    1000 Urban Center
                                                             Parkway, Suite 300

City, state and zip code            Birmingham, Alabama  35242


                                       1


                                     PART II
                             RULE 12B-25 (B) AND (C)

         If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or
expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the
following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate.)

  [X]    (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form
         could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;

  [X]    (b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on
         Form 10-K, 10-KSB, 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof will be
         filed on or before the 15th calendar day following the prescribed due
         date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form
         10-Q, 10-QSB, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth
         calendar day following the prescribed due date; and

  [ ]    (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
         12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.


                                    PART III
                                    NARRATIVE

         State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Form 10-K, 11-K, 20-F,
10-Q, 10-QSB, N-SAR or the transition report portion thereof could not be filed
within the prescribed time period. (Attach extra sheets if needed.)

         Birmingham Steel Corporation (the "Company") has been negotiating with
its lenders for an extension of the May 15, 2002 payment date of substantial
debt. On May 15, 2002, the Company and its lenders reached an agreement
extending such payment date. Due to the significant impact the grant of the
payment date extension will have upon the Company's quarterly financial
statements, the Company could not file the quarterly report on Form 10-Q
without unreasonable effort or expense in the absence of an extension of the
filing date. As indicated in Part II above, the Form 10-Q will be filed on or
before the 5th calendar day following the prescribed filing date.


                                     PART IV
                                OTHER INFORMATION

         (1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification:

                  Name:    Danny Garrett
                  Phone:   (205)  970-1200


                                       2


         (2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company
Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If the answer is no,
identify report(s).

                                                               [X]  Yes  [ ] No

         (3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of
operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be
reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or
portion thereof?

                                                               [ ] Yes   [X]  No

         If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both
narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a
reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made.


                          Birmingham Steel Corporation
                  (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.

Date:    May 16, 2002                        By:  /s/ Danny Garrett
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                 Danny Garrett
                                                 Executive Vice President -
                                                  Chief Financial Officer


                                       3