<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000854709
<NAME> DAYTON SUPERIOR CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-1-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 391
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 74,030
<ALLOWANCES> (6,918)
<INVENTORY> 41,266
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 122,314
<PP&E> 76,697
<DEPRECIATION> (31,991)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 312,465
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 72,097
<BONDS> 212,590
0
0
<COMMON> 138,623
<OTHER-SE> (130,512)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 312,465
<SALES> 174,505
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 174,505
<CGS> 108,261
<TOTAL-COSTS> 108,261
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 48,604
<LOSS-PROVISION> 15,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,456
<INCOME-PRETAX> (3,969)
<INCOME-TAX> (1,470)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,499)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (4,812)
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (7,311)
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>