UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13G

                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                               (Amendment No. __)*


                          AK Steel Holding Corporation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)


                                  Common Stock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)


                                    001547108
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)


                                  March 3, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)


     Check the  appropriate  box to  designate  the rule  pursuant to which this
Schedule is filed:

          [_]  Rule 13d-1(b)

          [x]  Rule 13d-1(c)

          [_]  Rule 13d-1(d)

----------
*    The  remainder  of this  cover  page  shall be filled  out for a  reporting
     person's  initial  filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
     securities,  and for any subsequent amendment containing  information which
     would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

     The  information  required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed"  for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise  subject to the  liabilities of that section of
the Act but  shall be  subject  to all other  provisions  of the Act  (however,
see the Notes).



CUSIP No. 001547108
          ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                 (a)  [_]
                                                                 (b)  [X]
3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Cayman Islands

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     5,402,050

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     5,402,050

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     5,402,050

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
     SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                      [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     5.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     CO

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No. 001547108
          ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                 (a)  [_]
                                                                 (b)  [X]
3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     5,402,050

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     5,402,050

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     5,402,050

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
     SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                      [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     5.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     CO

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No. 001547108
          ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     HMC Investors, L.L.C.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                 (a)  [_]
                                                                 (b)  [X]
3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     5,402,050

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     5,402,050

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     5,402,050

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
     SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                      [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     5.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     CO

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No. 001547108
          ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Harbert Management Corporation

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                 (a)  [_]
                                                                 (b)  [X]
3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     5,600,000

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     5,600,000

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     5,600,000

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
     SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                      [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     5.1%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     CO

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No. 001547108
          ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Philip Falcone

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                 (a)  [_]
                                                                 (b)  [X]
3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     5,600,000

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     5,600,000

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     5,600,000

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
     SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                      [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     5.1%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     IN

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No. 001547108
          ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Raymond J. Harbert

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                 (a)  [_]
                                                                 (b)  [X]
3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     5,600,000

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     5,600,000

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     5,600,000

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
     SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                      [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     5.1%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     IN

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No. 001547108
            ---------------------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Michael D. Luce

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                 (a)  [_]
                                                                 (b)  [X]
3.   SEC USE ONLY


4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     5,600,000

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     5,600,000

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     5,600,000

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
     SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                      [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     5.1%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     IN

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CUSIP No. 001547108
          ---------------------

Item 1(a).  Name of Issuer:

            AK Steel Holding Corporation
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (b).  Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:

            703 Curtis Street
            Middletown, Ohio 45043
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 2(a).  Name, Principal Business Address, and Citizenship of Persons Filing:

            Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - Cayman Islands
            c/o International Fund Services (Ireland) Limited
            Third Floor, Bishop's Square
            Redmond's Hill
            Dublin 2, Ireland

            Philip Falcone - U.S.A.
            555 Madison Avenue
            16th Floor
            New York, New York 10022
            United States of America

            Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - Delaware
            HMC Investors, L.L.C. - Delaware
            Harbert Management Corporation - Alabama
            Raymond J. Harbert - U.S.A.
            Michael D. Luce - U.S.A.
            One Riverchase Parkway South
            Birmingham, Alabama 35244
            United States of America
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (d).  Title of Class of Securities:

            Common Stock
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (e).  CUSIP Number:

            001547108
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 3.     If This Statement  is filed  pursuant to ss.240.13d-1(b) or
            240.13d-2(b), or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

     (a) [_]  Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act
              (15 U.S.C. 78c).

     (b) [_]  Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act (15
              U.S.C. 78c).

     (c) [_]  Insurance  company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Exchange
              Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).

     (d) [_]  Investment  company  registered under Section 8 of the Investment
              Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8).

     (e) [_]  An investment adviser in accordance with s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

     (f) [_]  An employee  benefit plan or endowment  fund in  accordance  with
              s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

     (g) [_]  A parent  holding  company or control  person in accordance  with
              Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

     (h) [_]  A savings  association  as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal
              Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.1813);

     (i) [_]  A  church  plan  that  is  excluded  from  the  definition  of an
              investment  company  under  Section  3(c)(14)  of the  Investment
              Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);

     (j) [_]  Group, in accordance with s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).

Item 4.  Ownership.

     Provide  the  following  information  regarding  the  aggregate  number and
percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.

     (a) Amount beneficially owned:

         Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 5,402,050
         Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 5,402,050
         HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 5,402,050
         Harbert Management Corporation - 5,600,000
         Philip Falcone - 5,600,000
         Raymond J. Harbert - 5,600,000
         Michael D. Luce - 5,600,000
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (b) Percent of class:

         Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 5.0%
         Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 5.0%
         HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 5.0%
         Harbert Management Corporation - 5.1%
         Philip Falcone - 5.1%
         Raymond J. Harbert - 5.1%
         Michael D. Luce - 5.1%
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (c) Number of shares as to which the person has:

          (i)  Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:

               Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 0
               Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0
               HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0
               Harbert Management Corporation - 0
               Philip Falcone - 0
               Raymond J. Harbert - 0
               Michael D. Luce - 0

          (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:

               Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 5,402,050
               Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 5,402,050
               HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 5,402,050
               Harbert Management Corporation - 5,600,000
               Philip Falcone - 5,600,000
               Raymond J. Harbert - 5,600,000
               Michael D. Luce - 5,600,000

         (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

               Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 0
               Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0
               HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0
               Harbert Management Corporation - 0
               Philip Falcone - 0
               Raymond J. Harbert - 0
               Michael D. Luce - 0

          (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

               Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 5,402,050
               Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 5,402,050
               HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 5,402,050
               Harbert Management Corporation - 5,600,000
               Philip Falcone - 5,600,000
               Raymond J. Harbert - 5,600,000
               Michael D. Luce - 5,600,000

Item 5.  Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

     If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date
hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than
five percent of the class of securities, check the following [_].

         -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 6.  Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

     If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to
direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such
securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this
item and, if such interest relates to more than five percent of the class, such
person should be identified.  A listing of the shareholders of an investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries
of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required.

         N/A
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 7.  Identification and  Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the
         Security  Being  Reported on by the Parent  Holding  Company or Control
         Person.

     If a parent holding company or Control person has filed this schedule,
pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G), so indicate under Item 3(g) and attach an
exhibit stating the identity and the Item 3 classification of the relevant
subsidiary.  If a parent holding company or control person has filed this
schedule pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) or Rule 13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating
the identification of the relevant subsidiary.

         N/A
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 8.  Identification  and  Classification  of Members of the Group.

     If a group has filed this schedule pursuant to s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), so
indicate under Item 3(j) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and Item 3
classification of each member of the group. If a group has filed this schedule
pursuant to s.240.13d-1(c) or s.240.13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the
identity of each member of the group.

         N/A
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 9.  Notice of Dissolution of Group.

     Notice of dissolution of a group may be furnished as an exhibit stating the
date of the dissolution and that all further filings with respect to
transactions in the security reported on will be filed, if required, by members
of the group, in their individual capacity.  See Item 5.

         N/A
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 10. Certification.

     (b) The  following  certification  shall be included if the  statement  is
         filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c):

         By signing  below I certify  that,  to the best of my  knowledge  and
         belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not
         held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or  influencing
         the control of the issuer of the  securities and were not acquired and
         are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction
         having such purpose or effect.



     After  reasonable  inquiry and to the best of my  knowledge  and belief,  I
certify that the information  set forth in this statement is true,  complete and
correct.


Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd.
By: Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.*
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

HMC Investors, L.L.C.*

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

Harbert Management Corporation*

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

/s/ Philip Falcone*
-------------------
Philip Falcone

/s/ Raymond J. Harbert*
-----------------------
Raymond J. Harbert

/s/ Michael D. Luce*
--------------------
Michael D. Luce

March 13, 2006

*The Reporting Persons disclaim beneficial ownership in the shares reported
herein except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.




                                                                       Exhibit A


                                    AGREEMENT

The undersigned agree that this Schedule 13G dated March 13, 2006 relating to
the Common Stock of AK Steel Holding Corporation shall be filed on behalf of the
undersigned.


Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd.
By: Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.*
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

HMC Investors, L.L.C.*

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

Harbert Management Corporation*

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------

/s/ Philip Falcone*
-------------------
Philip Falcone

/s/ Raymond J. Harbert*
-----------------------
Raymond J. Harbert

/s/ Michael D. Luce*
--------------------
Michael D. Luce

*The Reporting Persons disclaim beneficial ownership in the shares reported
herein except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.




SK 03773 0003 651656