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Rouge Industries Denies Sale or Merger Report

24 January 2000

Rouge Industries Denies Sale or Merger Report

    DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 21 -- Rouge Industries, Inc.
announced today that it had received information that a recent
article published by Business Week ONLINE mentioned that Rouge Industries was
in discussions with a Brazilian company regarding a sale of or merger with
Rouge Industries.  Rouge Industries stated that the information in the article
is incorrect and that it is not in discussions regarding sale or merger with
any Brazilian company.  Rouge Industries also stated that it does not have any
other information at this time that would explain the recent increase in its
stock price or the increase in the trading volume in shares of its stock
listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

    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.