<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-32.1
<SEQUENCE>5
<FILENAME>l03491aexv32w1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 32.1
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 32.1



                CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                           PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 1350
                 (SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002)


I, Michael D. Siegal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Olympic Steel,
Inc. (the "Company"), certify that to the best of my knowledge, based upon a
review of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30,
2003, of the Company (the "Report"):

          (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
          or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

          (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
          material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
          of the Company.


By: /s/ Michael D. Siegal
   -------------------------------
Michael D. Siegal
Olympic Steel, Inc.
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
November 13, 2003




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