<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Butler
Manufacturing Company Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarter
ended September 30, 2000, and Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30,
2000, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000015840
<NAME> BUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 16,927
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 148,530
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 55,589
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 284,733
<PP&E> 260,063
<DEPRECIATION> 153,314
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 434,075
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 195,956
<BONDS> 58,414<F1>
0
0
<COMMON> 12,623
<OTHER-SE> 214,287<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 434,075
<SALES> 712,896
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 712,034<F3>
<CGS> 588,794
<TOTAL-COSTS> 588,794
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 90,953<F4>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,078
<INCOME-PRETAX> 28,650
<INCOME-TAX> 10,361
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,289
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 18,289
<EPS-BASIC> 2.78
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.77
<FN>
<F1>Reflects long-term debt, less current maturities
<F2>Reflects other stockholders' equity before deduction of $62.2 million cost of
treasury stock.
<F3>Reflects net sales plus net international joint venture income less net other
expenses
<F4>Consists of selling, general and administrative expense
</FN>
</TABLE>
