The response of austenites to thermomechanical treatments is studied in a series of niobium (columbium) HSLA steels. Interactions between composition, plastic deformation, strain-induced precipitation, and austenite recrystallization are described and related to previous work in the field. Niobium in solution prior to deformation leads to significant retardation of subsequent austenite recrystallization if Nb(C,N) precipitation takes place prior to or during the early stages of recrystallization. Such straininduced precipitation proceeds in two stages: initially at austenitic grain boundaries and deformation bands, and later on substructural features in the unrecrystallized austenite. The latter precipitation is accelerated only if it occurs in the unrecrystallized austenite; if recrystallization precedes Nb(C,N) precipitation, then the precipitation reaction is much slower. Thus, the Nb(C,N) precipitation and austenite recrystallization reactions are coupled phenomena. The conditions necessary for such an interaction are analyzed, and it is proposed that the level of supersaturation of Nb(C,N) in the austenite at the deformation temperature is a critical factor in determining whether or not an effective interaction will operate at that temperature.