Rouge Steel Resumes Production in its Finishing Operations

12 February 1999
Rouge Steel Resumes Production in its Finishing Operations
    DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 12 -- Rouge Industries, Inc.
reported today that Rouge Steel Company resumed limited Finishing
Operations production at its Hot Strip Mill and Cold Mills on Thursday,
February 11, 1999.
    Rouge Steel Company's steel making facilities in Dearborn, Michigan were
idled on February 1, 1999 as a result of an explosion and fire at the Rouge
Complex Powerhouse that interrupted the supply of electricity, process and
heating steam, turbo air, mill water and other utilities to all Rouge Steel
operations.  The Company's Primary Operations, including its two Blast
Furnaces, the Basic Oxygen Furnaces and Continuous Caster will remain idled
pending the refurbishment and restart of the Powerhouse's turbo blowers.
    According to Bill Hornberger, vice president, Employee Relations and
Public Affairs of the Company, "The first priority was to resume production in
our Finishing Operations so we could ship available steel inventories to our
customers.  We are pleased to report that this has been accomplished.  Now we
are turning our full attention to our Primary Operations so we can resume
steel making as quickly as possible.
    "The Company's steam powered turbo air equipment, which is integral to the
operation of the blast furnaces, is housed in the Powerhouse and the damage to
the utility systems supporting the turbo blowers was extensive.  The Company
has established an evaluation and repair schedule and believes that the turbo
blowers will return to production by April 1, 1999," added Hornberger.
    Rouge Steel has purchased 430,000 tons of semi-finished steel to partially
support its automotive order book as the mill returns to full production
capability.
    Rouge Industries, Inc. is a producer of premium-quality flat rolled sheet
steel and processed steel products and is the parent holding company of Rouge
Steel Company.  Rouge Industries principally serves the automotive, converter
and service center markets.

    Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release contains forward-looking information about the Company.
A number of factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ
materially from those anticipated, including changes in the general economic
climate, the supply of or demand for and the pricing of steel products in the
Company's markets, potential environmental liabilities and higher than
expected costs.  For further information on these and other factors that could
impact the Company and the statements contained herein, reference should be
made to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.