<PAGE>   1



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]            QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended               December 31, 1998
                               ---------------------------------------------

                                       OR

[ ]            TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                     to
                               -------------------    ----------------------

                          Commission File Number 0-3855

                              Laclede Steel Company
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                 Delaware                                  43-0368310
-------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------
      (State or other jurisdiction of                   (I.R.S. Employer
      incorporation or organization)                 Identification Number)

           One Metropolitan Square
              St. Louis, Missouri                          314-425-1400
-------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------
   (Address of principal executive office)                  (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (314) 425-1400

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

             Yes      X                              No
                   -------                              -------

As of February 10, 1999 there were 4,056,140 shares of $.01 par value common
stock outstanding.



<PAGE>   2


                                              
ITEM 1:  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LACLEDE STEEL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997 (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1998       1997
                                                            ----       ----
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>
NET SALES                                                 $68,108     $79,673
                                                          -------     -------

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
  Cost of products sold                                    62,501      77,357
  Selling, general and administrative expenses              3,494       3,715
  Depreciation                                              1,643       1,914
  Interest expense (contractual interest $2,506)            2,452       2,791
  Gain on litigation settlement                            (1,831)         --
                                                          -------     -------

           Total costs and expenses                        68,259      85,777      
                                                          -------     -------

EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE REORGANIZATION ITEMS AND
  INCOME TAXES                                               (151)     (6,104)

REORGANIZATION ITEMS - Professional fees                     (615)         --
                                                          -------     -------

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                     (766)     (6,104)

CREDIT FOR INCOME TAXES                                        --      (2,432)
                                                          -------     -------

NET LOSS                                                     (766)     (3,672)

PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENT                          (94)        (94)
                                                          -------     -------

NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS                    (860)     (3,766)
                                                          -------     -------
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
  Minimum pension liability adjustment                         --      11,674
  Income tax provision                                         --       4,436
                                                          -------     -------
           Total other comprehensive income                    --       7,238
                                                          -------     -------

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)                               $  (860)    $ 3,472
                                                          =======     =======

BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER SHARE                      $ (0.21)    $ (0.93)
                                                          =======     =======
</TABLE>





                                      -2-

<PAGE>   3



LACLEDE STEEL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION) 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOuSANDS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       DECEMBER 31,    SEPTEMBER
                                                                          30,
ASSETS                                                    1998           1998
                                                       (UNAUDITED)
                                                       -----------     ---------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents                              $    279       $    192
  Accounts receivable, less allowances                     36,314         39,761
  Prepaid expenses                                          3,048          1,936
  Inventories:
    Finished                                               34,443         37,871
    Semi-finished                                           7,743         11,595
    Raw materials                                           1,405          3,478
    Supplies                                               11,191         12,922
                                                         --------       --------
           Total inventories                               54,782         65,866
                                                         --------       --------

           Total current assets                            94,423        107,755
                                                         --------       --------

NON-CURRENT ASSETS                                         19,670         19,389
                                                         --------       --------

PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, At cost                              220,016        220,578
  Less - accumulated depreciation                         133,163        131,531
                                                         --------       --------

           Net plant and equipment                         86,853         89,047
                                                         --------       --------
















TOTAL                                                    $200,946       $216,191
                                                         ========       ========

</TABLE>

                                      -3-

<PAGE>   4



LACLEDE STEEL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT                              1998          1998
                                                               (UNAUDITED)
                                                               ------------  --------------
<S>                                                             <C>          <C>
LIABILITIES NOT SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE:
  Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses                       $   7,436    $  56,357
    Accrued compensation                                            4,615        5,400
    Current portion of long-term debt                              75,837      106,048
    Accrued costs of pension plans                                     --       15,000
    Other                                                           4,078        3,684
                                                                ---------    ---------

           Total current liabilities                               91,966      186,489
                                                                ---------    ---------

  Non-current liabilities:
    Accrued costs of pension plans                                     --       57,328
    Accrued postretirement medical benefits                            --       73,470
    Other                                                           4,418        1,923
                                                                ---------    ---------

           Total non-current liabilities                            4,418      132,721
                                                                ---------    ---------

LIABILITIES SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE:
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses                            50,227           --
  Accrued postretirement medical benefits                          72,672
  Accrued costs of pension plans                                   73,127
  Long-term debt                                                   10,040
  Other                                                             2,375           --
                                                                ---------    ---------

           Total liabilities subject to compromise                208,441           --
                                                                ---------    ---------

STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT:
  Preferred stock, no par value, authorized 2,000,000 shares;
    issued and outstanding 416,667 shares                              83           83
  Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 25,000,000
    shares; issued and outstanding 4,056,140 shares                    41           41
  Capital in excess of par value                                   59,388       59,482
  Accumulated deficit                                             (99,885)     (99,119)
  Minimum pension liability adjustment                            (63,506)     (63,506)
                                                                ---------    ---------

           Total stockholders' deficit                           (103,879)    (103,019)
                                                                ---------    ---------

TOTAL                                                           $ 200,946    $ 216,191
                                                                =========    =========
</TABLE>


                                      -4-

<PAGE>   5



LACLEDE STEEL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997 (UNAUDITED)
(IN THOuSANDS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          1998        1997
                                                                          ----        ----
<S>                                                                     <C>         <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net loss                                                              $   (766)   $ (3,672)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating
    activities:
      Depreciation                                                         1,643       1,914
      Deferred income tax credits                                             --      (2,656)
  Changes in assets and liabilities that provided (used) cash:
    Accounts receivable                                                    3,447       6,344
    Inventories                                                           11,084         (19)
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                  1,306       8,254
    Accrued pension cost                                                   1,590       2,602
    Pension cash funding                                                    (604)     (3,045)
    Accrued postretirement medical benefits                                 (798)     (1,320)
    Other assets and liabilities                                           2,899        (445)
                                                                        --------    --------

           Net cash provided by operating activities                      19,801       7,957
                                                                        --------    --------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Capital expenditures                                                      (232)     (1,251)
  Proceeds from sale of assets                                               789          --
                                                                        --------    --------

           Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities               557      (1,251)
                                                                        --------    --------


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net change in pre-petition revolving credit                            (35,118)     (5,987)
  Net change in post-petition revolving credit                            15,265          --
  Payments on long-term debt (prior to bankruptcy filing)                   (318)       (318)
  Payment of financing costs (prior to bankruptcy filing)                   (100)       (351)
                                                                        --------    --------

           Net cash used in financing activities                         (20,271)     (6,656)
                                                                        --------    --------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
  Net increase during the period                                              87          50
  At beginning of period                                                     192         136
                                                                        --------    --------

  At end of period                                                      $    279    $    186
                                                                        ========    ========
</TABLE>






                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6


LACLEDE STEEL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION)

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1.    GENERAL

      The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the
      accounts of Laclede Steel Company and its subsidiaries (the "Company").
      All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The
      consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (such
      adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed in
      these interim financial statements) which are in the opinion of management
      necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods.

      The results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 1998 are
      not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full
      fiscal year ending September 30, 1999. The financial results for the
      fiscal year ending September 30, 1999 are subject to annual audit. The
      Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the
      Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the nine month period ended
      September 30, 1998.

      The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
      accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
      Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in
      Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code. The financial statements have
      been prepared using accounting principles applicable to a going concern,
      which assumes realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in the
      normal course of business. The appropriateness of using the going concern
      basis is dependent upon, among other things, the ability to comply with
      debtor-in-possession financing agreements, confirmation of a plan of
      reorganization, the ability to achieve profitable operations, and the
      ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet its
      obligations.

      The accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31,
      1998 segregates liabilities subject to compromise, such as unsecured
      claims, from liabilities not subject to compromise, such as fully secured
      liabilities and liabilities arising subsequent to filing bankruptcy. A
      plan of reorganization could materially change the amounts currently
      recorded in the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated
      statements that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty may be
      materially different than those presented herein.

      Reorganization items represent expenses incurred by the Company as a
      result of the bankruptcy filing and proceedings which are required to be
      expensed as incurred.

2.    BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS

      On November 30, 1998, as a result of a decline in the Company results of
      operations during the nine months ended September 30, 1998 reflecting,
      among other factors the deterioration in steel demand and selling prices
      since the end of last year, the Company and its subsidiaries filed
      voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United
      States Bankruptcy Code. The Company is in possession of its properties and
      assets and continues to operate with its existing directors and officers
      as debtors-in-possession. As debtors-in-possession, the Company is
      authorized to operate its business, but may not engage in transactions
      outside of the normal course of business without approval, after notice
      and hearing, of the Bankruptcy Court.





                                      -6-

<PAGE>   7


      Pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, as of the petition
      date actions to collect pre-petition indebtedness owed by the Company are
      stayed and other prepetition contractual obligations may not be enforced
      against the Company. In addition, as debtors-in-possession, the Company
      has the right, subject to the Bankruptcy Court's approval and certain
      other conditions, to assume or reject any pre-petition executory contracts
      and unexpired leases. Parties affected by these rejections may file claims
      with the Bankruptcy Court in accordance with the reorganization process.
      The Company cannot presently determine or reasonably estimate the ultimate
      liability that may result from rejecting leases or from filing of claims
      for any rejected contracts, and no provisions have been made for these
      items. Schedules have been filed by the Company with the Bankruptcy Court
      setting forth the assets and liabilities of the debtors as of the filing
      date as reflected in the Company's accounting records. Differences between
      amounts reflected in such schedules and claims filed by creditors will be
      investigated and amicably resolved or adjudicated before the Bankruptcy
      Court. The ultimate amount and settlement terms for such liabilities are
      subject to a plan of reorganization, and accordingly, are not presently
      determinable. The Bankruptcy Court has approved payment of certain
      prepetition liabilities such as employee wages and benefits. Furthermore,
      the Bankruptcy Court has allowed for the retention of legal and financial
      professionals. These items are recorded as accounts payable and accrued
      expenses not subject to compromise.

      On November 30, 1998 the Company obtained an $85 million thirteen-month
      debtor-in-possession financing facility (the "DIP Facility") from its
      existing lenders, which replaced its existing Bank Credit Facility. On
      December 23, 1998 the court issued an order approving the new facility.
      The DIP Facility provides for revolving credit loans based on accounts
      receivable and inventory levels with advance rates comparable to the prior
      Bank Credit Facility. Under terms of the DIP Facility, the Company also
      has access to additional availability in excess of that provided under the
      previous agreement. As of December 31, 1998 the Company had unused
      availability under the DIP Facility of approximately $11 million.

      In connection with the DIP Facility, as amended, the Company must maintain
      compliance with several restrictive financial covenants, including the
      maintenance of specific levels of operating cash flow and minimum
      operating contributions from the Alton Steel operations, as defined. These
      covenants are effective beginning with the four-month period ending March
      31, 1999 with respect to operating cash flow, and for the three-month
      period ending March 31, 1999 with respect to Alton Steel operations, as
      defined.

      The Company intends to present a plan of reorganization to the Bankruptcy
      Court to reorganize the Company's businesses and to restructure the
      Company`s obligations. Under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, the
      Company has the exclusive right to file such plan at any time during the
      120-day period following November 30, 1998. The exclusive filing time
      period may be extended by the Bankruptcy Court.

3.    GAIN ON LITIGATION SETTLEMENT

      During the quarter ended December 31, 1998, the Company received
      $1,831,000 as a settlement in connection with a class action lawsuit
      involving electrode manufacturers.

4.    PIPE AND SKELP OPERATIONS

      In August 1998, the Company announced that it planned to discontinue
      operation of its 22" Mill at Alton. Since the announcement, the Company
      has continued to operate the mill, primarily as a result of the decline in
      scrap prices which has made the operation of the 22" Mill more economical.
      Management




                                      -7-

<PAGE>   8


      currently expects to operate the 22" Mill until such time that it is no
      longer economical to operate the mill and the shut-down is approved by the
      Bankruptcy Court.

      On January 14, 1999 the Company announced, in accordance with its Labor
      Agreement, it had given formal notice to the United Steelworkers of
      America of its intention to permanently discontinue the operations of its
      Alton, Illinois Tube Mill. Although the Company informed officials of the
      Union of its intention, at this date the Company remains willing to
      explore other alternatives with the Union. The Company expects to meet
      with the Union in the near future to determine whether there are realistic
      alternatives to closing the Alton Tube Mill. The shutdown of the Alton
      Tube Mill would not occur before April 15, 1999.

      The Company has been studying a plan to consolidate its pipe operations at
      either the Alton Plant or its Fairless, Pennsylvania Pipe Mill since the
      summer of 1998. The Company believes consolidation of pipe operations
      would allow it to operate more efficiently and reduce excess pipe-making
      capacity. The preliminary decision to concentrate operations at the
      Fairless Plant reflects the Company's belief that Fairless Pipe Mill's
      capabilities are better than those of the Alton Tube Mill, and the
      prohibitive cost of relocating related equipment.

      Shutdown of the Alton 22" Mill and Tube Mill could affect the employment
      of more than 200 employees of the Alton Plant. After a final decision is
      made the 22" Mill and one of the Company's pipe-making facilities may be
      sold or abandoned, and recording of an impairment charge is likely at that
      time.

5.    PER SHARE DATA

      Per share amounts have been calculated based on weighted average shares
      outstanding of 4,056,140. Net loss per share was computed by dividing the
      net earnings after deducting preferred dividend requirements by the
      weighted average shares outstanding.

                                   * * * * * *



                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9



ITEM 2.       MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The discussion and analysis below should be read in conjunction with the
unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes to the
unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in the Form 10-Q.

As described in Note 2 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements, the
Company filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the
United States Bankruptcy Code on November 30, 1998. For more information see
Note 2 as well as the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the nine-month
transition period ended September 30, 1998.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

During the first quarter ended December 31, 1998, operating activities provided
$19.8 million in cash which primarily reflects decreases in inventory of $11.1
million, decreases in accounts receivable of $3.4 million and increases  in
accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1.3 million.

Cash flow from financing activities used $20.3 million in cash, reflecting a net
$19.8 million reduction in revolving credit borrowings under the Company's
financing facility, payments on long-term debt of $318,000, and payments of
financing costs of $100,000.

Under the terms of the Bankruptcy case, liabilities in the amount of $208.4
million are subject to compromise under a plan of reorganization. Pursuant to
the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and during the pendency of the Bankruptcy
proceeding, the Company does not intend to make contributions to its pension
plans. Generally, actions to enforce or otherwise effect repayment of all
prepetition liabilities as well as all pending litigation against the Company
are stayed while the Company continues its business operations as
debtors-in-possession. The ultimate amount and settlement terms for such
liabilities are subject to a plan of reorganization, and accordingly, are not
presently determinable.

The Company's projections indicate that availability under the DIP Facility
should be adequate to finance its operations through 1999 and all planned
capital expenditures, which will not exceed $6.5 million during the
thirteen-month term of the facility ending December 31, 1999.

Although the Company believes that anticipated cash flows from future operations
and borrowings under the DIP Facility should provide sufficient liquidity for
the Company to meet its debt service requirements, satisfy covenants under the
DIP Facility and fund ongoing operations, there can be no assurance these or
other possible sources will be adequate.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net sales decreased by $11.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 1998
compared to the same period of the prior year. This reflects a 16.4% decrease in
steel shipments, as well as a decrease in average sales prices for steel
products. The cost of products sold decreased $14.9 million or 19.2% for the
quarter ended December 31, 1998. This decrease is the result of a reduction in
shipping volume, a 17% decrease in steel scrap prices and lower production costs
compared to the same quarter in the previous year.




                                      -9-

<PAGE>   10


Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased slightly from $3.7
million for the quarter ended December 31, 1997 to $3.5 million for the quarter
ended December 31, 1998, primarily as a result of reductions in the salaried
workforce.

The decrease of $339,000 in interest expense is reflective of a decreased
average balance of borrowings as well as the discontinuance of recording
interest expense on unsecured prepetition debt pursuant to SOP 90-7. Contractual
interest for the quarter ended December 31, 1998 was $2.5 million.

During the first quarter ended December 31, 1998, the Company received a $1.8
million settlement pursuant to a class action electrode lawsuit.


YEAR 2000

The Company has been focused on the year 2000 issue since 1996. The first phase
of the Company's year 2000 management was to designate a project leader,
identify specific plant and business operation team leaders and create a list of
business and information systems and non-information systems that required
assessment. The second phase was to form teams to evaluate identified systems
for year 2000 compliance. The Company has completed phase one and two and begun
phase three, which is to develop a schedule to achieve compliance and begin to
repair and/or replace non-compliant systems. The Company expects to be year 2000
compliant in all material respects by the fourth quarter of calendar 1999.

BUSINESS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS ("IT SYSTEMS") - The Company believes that its
mainframe business computer system is fully year 2000 compliant except for its
accounts receivable software which is scheduled to be brought into compliance
during the first quarter of calendar 1999. The Company also has twenty desktop
computers that will require replacement during 1999.

NON-IT SYSTEMS - There are a number of non-IT system issues at the Company's
Alton, Illinois facility. Several systems related to the electric melt shop will
require software upgrades or replacement including the power measurement
software, the ladle metallurgy furnace, the caster control system and the
chemical analysis equipment. The Alton facility's 14-inch mill also has a number
of systems that will require software upgrades or replacement including the
process logic control system and the mill's tracking device and monitor
equipment. In addition, the Company has been unable to independently evaluate
several systems related to the Alton 14" mill and is awaiting response from
various equipment or software vendors as to year 2000 compliance.

No material year 2000 compliance issues have been identified at the Company's
Fremont Wire Mill, Fairless Hills Pipe Mill or the Vandalia Pipe Finishing
Facility.

CUSTOMERS AND VENDORS - The Company has communicated with its significant
customers and vendors to understand their year 2000 issues and how they might
prepare themselves to manage these issues as they relate to the Company. To
date, no significant customers or vendors have informed the Company that a
material year 2000 issue exists which would have a material effect on the
Company. One of the Company's primary sources of electricity, however, has
informed the Company that the utility's critical systems will not be year 2000
compliant until September 1999. If such utility were unable to achieve full year
2000 compliance before December 31, 1999, and electricity is unavailable at such
date, such facility of the Company would be unable to conduct manufacturing
operations which would be a material adverse event.

The Company is in the process of developing a comprehensive contingency plan to
address year 2000 compliance matters that would interfere with or interrupt its
manufacturing process. Although this plan has not been finalized, initial
recommendations from the Company's year 2000 project leader include the





                                      -10-

<PAGE>   11
intentional shut-down of the Alton facility immediately prior to Saturday,
January 1, 2000 and a systematic start-up of each separate operating unit within
the Alton facility on the next scheduled day of plant operations.

During calendar 1999, the Company will continually review its progress against
its year 2000 plans and conclude on the appropriate and feasible contingency
plans to reduce its exposure to year 2000 related issues.

Based on the Company's current assessment, the costs of addressing potential
problems are not currently expected to have a material adverse impact on the
Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows in future
periods. If the Company or its customers or vendors identify year 2000 issues in
the future, however, and are unable to resolve such issues in a timely manner,
it could result in a material financial risk. Accordingly, the Company plans to
devote the necessary resources to resolve all significant year 2000 issues in a
timely manner.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE
SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

The foregoing Management's Discussion and Analysis and other portions of this
report on Form 10-Q and previous reports, contain various "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended, and Sections 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 
which represent the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events, 
including the following: statements regarding the overall demand for steel;
statements regarding the ability to maintain sales prices; statements regarding
productivity improvement programs; statements regarding the Company's
profitability; statements regarding future borrowing capacity; statements
regarding Year 2000 compliance and statements regarding future pension funding
requirements. In addition, statements containing expressions such as "believes,"
"anticipates" or "expects" used in the Company's periodic reports on Forms 10-K,
10-Q and 8-K filed with the SEC are intended to identify forward-looking
statements.

Forward-looking statements by the Company and its management are based on
estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions of management and are not
guarantees of future performance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statement based on the occurrence of future
events, the receipt of new information, or otherwise. The Company cautions that
these and similar statements included in this report and in previously filed
periodic reports including reports filed on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and further
qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statement, including, without
limitation, the following: decline in sales prices for steel products; increases
in the cost of steel scrap; failure to obtain significant benefits from the
Company's cost reduction and productivity improvement programs; increased
domestic or foreign steel competition; decreases in the market value of the
Company's qualified pension plan assets; increases in financing costs, labor
relations, and adverse developments arising from the Chapter 11 proceedings and
adverse developments in the timing or results from the Company's current
business plan.


ITEM 3.  QUANTITIVE AND QUALITIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

                  None.









                                      -11-

<PAGE>   12
                          PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.       LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

                  None

ITEM 6.       EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

                  (a)      Exhibits

     (3)(a)   Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation as restated October
              28, 1996. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) in
              Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for September 30,
              1996.)

     (3)(b)   By-laws of Registrant amended October 21, 1998. (Incorporated
              by reference to Exhibit (3)(b) in Registrant's Annual Report
              on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998.)

     (4)(a)   Registrant's Loan and Security Agreement dated as of September
              7, 1994 amended and restated as of August 20, 1997.
              (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(a) in Registrant's
              Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for September 30, 1997.)

     (4)(b)   First amendment dated December 30, 1997 to the Company's
              Restated Loan and Security Agreement. (Incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit (4)(b) in Registrant's Annual Report on
              Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.)

     (4)(c)   Second amendment effective March 27, 1998 to the Company's
              Restated Loan and Security Agreement. (Incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit (4)(c) in Registrant's Annual Report on
              Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997).

     (4)(d)   Third amendment dated August 11, 1998 to the Company's
              Restated Loan and Security Agreement. (Incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit (4)(d) in Registrant's Annual Report on
              Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998.)

     (4)(e)   Registrant's Postpetition Loan and Security Agreement dated
              December 1, 1998. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(e)
              in Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
              ended September 30, 1998.)

     (4)(f)   First Amendment to Postpetition Loan and Security Agreement
              dated December 23, 1998. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
              (4)(f) in Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
              fiscal year ended September 30, 1998.)

     (4)(g)   Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock dated
              July 30, 1996. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(i) in
              the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for June 30,
              1996.)

                  (b)      Reports on Form 8-K.

Form 8-K reporting on Item 5 - Other Events, dated September 30, 1998.  The 
Company reported that it failed to make certain bond payments.

Form 8-K reporting on Item 5 - Other Events, dated October 23, 1998.  The 
Company reported that it changed its fiscal year end to September 30 of each 
year.

Form 8-K reporting on Item 3 - Bankruptcy, dated November 30, 1998.  The 
Company reported that it and its subsidiaries, Laclede Chain Manufacturing 
Company and Laclede Mid-America Inc., filed voluntary petitions for relief 
under Chapter 11 of the United States for relief under Chapter 11 of the United 
States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern 
District of Missouri. 


                                        
                                      -12-

                                        
<PAGE>   13


                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of
         1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
         behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                              LACLEDE STEEL COMPANY
                    ----------------------------------------


                               /s/ Michael H. Lane
                    ----------------------------------------
                                   Michael H. Lane
                            Vice President - Finance
                             Treasurer and Secretary

                           Duly Authorized Officer and
                           Principal Financial Officer





Date:    February 11, 1999
     -------------------------