<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>cxpr21303.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
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                                [LOGO GOES HERE]


                                  PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                               CONTACT:

CompX International Inc.                             David A. Bowers
5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700                         President & CEO
Dallas, Texas 75240                                  Tel. 864-286-1122

        COMPX REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2002 OPERATING RESULTS

Dallas,  TEXAS ... February 13, 2003 ... CompX  International  Inc. (NYSE:  CIX)
announced  today net sales for the fourth  quarter of 2002 of $47.7  million and
net loss of $1.8 million  compared to net sales of $47.0 million and net loss of
$1.4  million for the  comparable  2001  period.  Fourth  quarter  2002 loss per
diluted  share was $0.12 as  compared  to fourth  quarter  2001 loss per diluted
share of $0.09.

The following items impacted CompX's results in the fourth quarter 2002:

     o    a $1.6 million  pre-tax  charge  related to the  previously  disclosed
          retooling  of our Byron  Center,  Michigan  precision  slide  facility
          ($0.07 per diluted  share,  net of income tax benefit).  Approximately
          $1.0  million of the  expense was  non-cash in nature  relating to the
          disposal  of fixed  assets  and was  recorded  as other  expense.  The
          remaining  $600,000,  recorded as cost of goods  sold,  related to the
          cost of moving and  installing  machinery and equipment as well as the
          disposal of obsolete inventory; and

     o    $1.9  million  in pre-tax  charges,  recorded  as cost of goods  sold,
          primarily  for various  changes in estimates  with respect to obsolete
          and slow-moving  inventory,  inventory  overhead  absorption rates and
          other items ($0.08 per diluted share, net of income tax benefit).

Additionally, fourth quarter 2002 earnings were positively impacted by an amount
equal to $0.03 per diluted share from the elimination of goodwill  amortization.
Net loss in the fourth quarter of 2002 was negatively impacted by an increase in
the effective  income tax rate  primarily as a result of lower income levels and
an increased  proportion of foreign  sourced  dividend  income taxed at a higher
effective tax rate.



<PAGE>


For comparability  purposes, the following items impacted CompX's results in the
fourth quarter 2001:

     o    a $2.7 million  pre-tax  charge  related to the  restructuring  of the
          European production operations ($0.10 per diluted share, net of income
          tax benefit);

     o    a  $2.2  million   pre-tax  gain  recorded  as  other  income  on  the
          sale/leaseback of the production  facility located in Maastricht,  the
          Netherlands ($0.08 per diluted share, net of income taxes); and

     o    $3.0 million in pre-tax charges,  primarily  recorded as cost of goods
          sold,  for changes in estimates  with  respect to reserves  related to
          obsolete and slow-moving  inventory and other items ($0.11 per diluted
          share, net of income tax benefit).

Net sales for the year-ended  December 31, 2002 were $196.1 million  compared to
$211.4  million  for the  prior  year.  Net  income  for the full  year 2002 was
$638,000,  or $0.04 per diluted  share,  compared to $7.1 million,  or $0.47 per
diluted share, for the full year 2001.

On January 22, 2003,  CompX signed a new $47.5 million three year secured credit
agreement to replace a prior credit  facility.  The Company  currently has $32.0
million of debt outstanding under the credit agreement.

"2002 was a challenging  year for CompX as a result of weak overall economic and
industry specific conditions,"  commented David A. Bowers,  President & CEO. "We
commenced  several  cost  control  initiatives  during the year in  response  to
continuing  soft  market  demand.  We  expect  to see the full  impact  of these
initiatives  phased into operating results in the first part of 2003. One of the
more  significant  projects  completed  was the  retooling of our Byron  Center,
Michigan precision slide facility.  We expect to achieve  significant  operating
efficiencies  at  the  facility  as  a  result  of  the  retooling  through  the
rationalization  of our precision  slide  product  family.  Our precision  slide
results in 2002 were also negatively impacted by substantial  increases in steel
prices  during the year,  and action has been taken to attempt to recover  these
cost increases in the marketplace during the first quarter of 2003 by increasing
selling prices."

Mr. Bowers continued,  "We have recently finalized a plan to consolidate our two
Kitchener, Ontario plants into a single facility. Substantial completion of this
initiative is expected during the second quarter of 2003.  Expenses  relating to
this  consolidation  are  expected  to  primarily  consist  of the  cost to move
machinery  and equipment and are not  anticipated  to include a significant  net
cost  for the  disposal  of  fixed  assets.  Other  rationalization  evaluations
associated  with  previously  acquired  facilities are also under review.  These
other  evaluations  could result in additional  charges for asset impairment and
other costs in future quarters.  The new credit  agreement,  along with a strong
balance  sheet,  places the  Company in a  favorable  position  to make the cost
structure  changes  necessary  to  maintain  and improve  profitability  in this
challenging economic environment and beyond."

The CompX Security  Products  segment  experienced a 4% increase in net sales in
the fourth  quarter of 2002 over the same quarter  last year.  Net sales for the
full year 2002 for this segment were  comparable to the prior year.  Performance
in this segment  continues to be a strong  contributor  due in part to the broad
scope of markets served with our various lock products.

Net sales for the CompX  Waterloo/Regout  segment in the fourth  quarter of 2002
were flat in comparison to the prior year.  Net sales for the full year 2002 for
this segment declined by 11% over last year as customers in the prime market for
this  segment,  the  office  furniture  industry,  continued  to  struggle  with
dramatically   lower  demand  for  their  products,   and  accordingly  for  our
components.

Mr.  Bowers  concluded,  "During  the past two  years,  we have  experienced  an
extremely  difficult  market  picture and at the same time we have  continued to
absorb  acquisitions made in 1998 and 1999.  Actions being taken are eliminating
duplicate product lines and excess capacity. We are optimistic that these moves,
along with  necessary  personnel  reductions,  have put us in a position for the
coming year to more effectively concentrate on both new product and new customer
opportunities   that  will   result  in   returning   the  company  to  improved
profitability."

CompX is a leading  manufacturer  of  precision  ball bearing  slides,  security
products and ergonomic computer support systems.

Statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are
forward-looking  statements based upon management's belief and assumptions using
currently  available  information.  Although  CompX  believes  the  expectations
reflected in such forward-looking  statements are reasonable, it cannot give any
assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements, by
their  nature,   involve   substantial  risks  and   uncertainties   that  could
significantly  impact expected  results,  and actual future results could differ
materially from those described in such forward-looking statements.  While it is
not  possible to identify all  factors,  CompX  continues to face many risks and
uncertainties.  Among the factors  that could  cause  actual  future  results to
differ  materially  include,  but are  not  limited  to,  general  economic  and
political conditions,  demand for office furniture,  service industry employment
levels,  competitive  products  and prices,  fluctuations  in currency  exchange
rates, the introduction of trade barriers, potential difficulties in integrating
completed  acquisitions  and other risks and  uncertainties  detailed in CompX's
Securities and Exchange  Commission  filings.  Should one or more of these risks
materialize (or the  consequences of such a development  worsen),  or should the
underlying  assumptions prove incorrect,  actual results could differ materially
from those forecast or expected.  CompX disclaims any intention or obligation to
publicly  update  or  revise  such  statements   whether  as  a  result  of  new
information,  future  events or  otherwise.  CompX's 2002 results are subject to
completion of an audit and the filing of its 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

                                    * * * * *


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.
SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


                                                Three months ended                   Year ended
                                                   December 31,                     December 31,
                                                2001             2002            2001           2002
                                              ------------------------        ------------------------


<S>                                           <C>              <C>            <C>             <C>
Net sales                                     $  47.0          $  47.7        $  211.4        $ 196.1

Cost of goods sold                               40.8             41.9           167.9          163.2
                                              ------------------------        -----------------------

Gross profit                                      6.2              5.8            43.5           32.9

Selling, general and administrative               7.3              6.0            28.3           26.7

Restructuring                                     2.7              -               2.7            -
                                              ------------------------        -----------------------

Operating income (loss)                          (3.8)            (0.2)           12.5            6.2

Interest expense                                 (0.6)            (0.3)           (2.9)          (1.9)

Other income (expense)                            0.2             (0.9)            1.1           (0.9)

Gain on sale of Maastricht facility               2.2              -               2.2            -
                                              ------------------------        -----------------------

Income (loss) before income taxes                (2.0)            (1.4)           12.9            3.4

Income tax expense                               (0.6)             0.4             5.8            2.8
                                              ------------------------        -----------------------

Net income (loss)                             $  (1.4)         $  (1.8)       $    7.1        $   0.6
                                              =========================       =======================


Net income (loss) per
  diluted common share                        $ (0.09)         $ (0.12)       $   0.47        $  0.04
                                              =========================       =======================

Weighted average diluted common
  shares outstanding                             15.1             15.1            15.2           15.1
                                              ========================        =======================
</TABLE>





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