<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON PAGES 3
THROUGH 5 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000925548
<NAME> TOWER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 1,404
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 347,272
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 116,506
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 572,535
<PP&E> 1,541,935
<DEPRECIATION> 328,870
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,909,626
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 385,166
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 475
<OTHER-SE> 824,543
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,909,626
<SALES> 1,902,594
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,902,594
<CGS> 1,611,773
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,611,773
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 115,415
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 43,136
<INCOME-PRETAX> 132,270
<INCOME-TAX> 52,908
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 79,362
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (2,988)
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 83,381
<EPS-BASIC> 1.75
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.49
</TABLE>