------------------------------
                       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
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                                                  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.

                                                 (ATTACH EXTRA SHEETS IF NEEDED)
                                                            SEC 1344 (2/11/2002)


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. Union 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 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

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(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.

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                                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).