------------------------------
                       UNITED STATES                       OMB APPROVAL
               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COM-       ------------------------------
                          MISSION                 OMB NUMBER:   3235-0058
                  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549          EXPIRES: JANUARY 31, 2005
                                                  ESTIMATED AVERAGE BURDEN HOURS
                        FORM 12b-25               PER RESPONSE ...2.50
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  SEC FILE NUMBER
                NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING                   1-13123
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  CUSIP NUMBER
                                                            59132 4207
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(CHECK ONE):   / / Form 10-K    / / Form 20-F    /X/ Form 11-K    / / Form 10-Q
               / / Form N-SAR

               For Period Ended:                      DECEMBER 31, 2002
               / / Transition Report on Form 10-K
               / / Transition Report on Form 20-F
               / / Transition Report on Form 11-K
               / / Transition Report on Form 10-Q
               / / Transition Report on Form N-SAR
               For the Transaction Period Ended:      ____________________

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  READ INSTRUCTION (ON BACK PAGE) BEFORE PREPARING FORM. PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE.
    NOTHING IN THIS FORM SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THE COMMISSION HAS
                   VERIFIED ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.
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If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

________________________________________________________________________________

PART I -- REGISTRANT INFORMATION

                      METALS USA, INC.
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Full Name of Registrant

________________________________________________________________________________
Former Name if Applicable

                      THREE RIVERWAY SUITE 600
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Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

                      HOUSTON TX 77056
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City, State and Zip Code

PART II -- RULES 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)
        (a)    The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
               form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or
               expense;
        (b)    The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report
               on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof,
/X/            will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following
               the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report of
               transition report on Form 10-Q, 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 Forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q,
N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within
the prescribed time period.

                                               (ATTACHED EXTRA SHEETS IF NEEDED)
                                                            SEC 1344 (2/13/2002)



Part III - Narrative

Information required by the Company's external audit firm from third parties
was not requested by Company personnel in time to allow for accurate
completion of the financial statements and accompanying disclosures for the
Metals USA, Inc. 401(k) Plan to be included in the Form 11-K. The required
information was obtained on June 30, 2003 and the Form 11-K was filed on
July 1, 2003.



PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

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

           TERRY L. FREEMAN               713                     965-0990
       -------------------------   ------------------       --------------------
                (Name)                 (Area Code)           (Telephone Number)

(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
       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.

       _________________________________________________________________________

                                Metals USA, INC.
                ------------------------------------------------
                  (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.


      Date    JULY 1, 2003                             By /s/ TERRY L. FREEMAN
            ----------------------------------------      ---------------------

INSTRUCTION: The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant or
by any other duly authorized representative. The name and title of the person
signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature. If the
statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized representative
(other than an executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority to
sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form.

                 -----------------  ATTENTION  -----------------

                 INTENTIONAL MISSTATEMENTS OR OMISSIONS OF FACT
                     CONSTITUTE FEDERAL CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS
                              (SEE 18 U.S.C. 1001).
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                              GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1.   This form is required by Rule 12b-25 (17 CFR 240.12b-25) of the General
     Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

2.   One signed original and four conformed copies of this form and amendments
     thereto must be completed and filed with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, in accordance with Rule 0-3 of the
     General Rules and Regulations under the Act. The information contained in
     or filed with the form will be made a matter of public record in the
     Commission files.

3.   A manually signed copy of the form and amendments thereto shall be filed
     with each national securities exchange on which any class of securities of
     the registrant is registered.

4.   Amendments to the notifications must also be filed on form 12b-25 but need
     not restate information that has been correctly furnished. The form shall
     be clearly identified as an amended notification.

5.   ELECTRONIC FILERS. This form shall not be used by electronic filers unable
     to timely file a report solely due to electronic difficulties. Filers
     unable to submit a report within the time period prescribed due to
     difficulties in electronic filing should comply with either Rule 201 or
     Rule 202 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.201 or Section 232.202 of this
     chapter) or apply for an adjustment in filing date pursuant to Rule 13(b)
     of Regulation S-T (Section 232.13(b) of this chapter).