<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-32.2
<SEQUENCE>5
<FILENAME>l09981aexv32w2.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 32.2
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 32.2

                CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

                           PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 1350

                 (SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002)

I, Richard T. Marabito, Chief Financial 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, 2004, 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/ Richard T. Marabito
    -----------------------------
Richard T. Marabito
Olympic Steel, Inc.
Chief Financial Officer

November 5, 2004

                                  page 30 of 30

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</DOCUMENT>
