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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BAVF6r9VMwsoVbVVqIQ4QPaKmBZsAEYQOLDdXbr5xWk3+xRrQPL6iMjj0x+5fR4U
 IzM+I1hCV8xIhdMGjfunDw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-008686.txt : 20031010
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-008686.hdr.sgml : 20031010
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031010144007
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-008686
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031008
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031010

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			THOMPSON EDWARD L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001237413

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13123
		FILM NUMBER:		03936845

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		227 S TOWN EAST BLVD
		CITY:			MESQUITE
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75185
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9728828805

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			METALS USA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001038363
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-METALS SERVICE CENTERS & OFFICES [5051]
		IRS NUMBER:				760533626
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE RIVERWAY
		STREET 2:		STE 600
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7139650990

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE RIVERWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4/A -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-10-08</periodOfReport>
<dateOfOriginalSubmission>2003-10-09</dateOfOriginalSubmission>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001038363</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>METALS USA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MLT</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001237413</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>THOMPSON EDWARD L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>227 S. TOWN EAST BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MESQUITE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75185</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>Sr. Vice President</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>common stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-10-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>352</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2883</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization of the Issuer confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court on October 18, 2002, a final distribution of New Common Stock shall be made to the Holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims ("Allowed Claims").  Holders of Allowed Claims who previously received an "initial distribution" received a final distribution of approximately 6.45 shares for each $1,000 of Allowed Claims. The reporting person disclaims having effected a "purchase" of these securities, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person effected a "purchase" of the securities for purposes of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any other purpose.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Edward L. Thompson</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-10-10</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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