-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
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,
 DSWUph740QqqmQLYUmGVpIdqFG7QDBfe4WKqACMnig3Mmb/QAKVNvhRKdlwLNnRR
 Yng6h7bCfEeot1oWcquCwQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-011520.txt : 20040526
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-011520.hdr.sgml : 20040526
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040526101103
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-011520
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040517
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040526

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:		ONE RIVERWAY
		STREET 2:		STE 1100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056
		BUSINESS PHONE:		713 585-6404

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE RIVERWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOLIN JAMES E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001181530

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13123
		FILM NUMBER:		04831231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O APPALOOSA MANAGEMENT LP
		STREET 2:		26 MAIN ST FIRST FLOOR
		CITY:			CHATHAM
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07928
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9737017000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O APPALOOSA MANAGEMENT LP
		STREET 2:		26 MAIN ST FIRST FL
		CITY:			CHATHAM
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07928
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-17</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001038363</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>METALS USA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MUSA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001181530</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BOLIN JAMES E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>131 SOUTH DEARBORN ST.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60603</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.74</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-05-17</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-05-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>22500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Vest 1/3 annually.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James Bolin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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