<PAGE>   1





                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                 FORM 10-Q/A

                QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         FOR THE QUARTER ENDED                       COMMISSION FILE NUMBER
           OCTOBER 2, 1998                                  1-11781



                           DAYTON SUPERIOR CORPORATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                 OHIO                                 31-0676346
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                    (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)

           7777 Washington Village Dr., Suite 130
           DAYTON, OHIO                                       45459
           -------------------------                       ----------
           (Address of principal                           (Zip Code)
             executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   937-428-6360
                                                      ------------

                                 NOT APPLICABLE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                          if changed from last report)

Indicate by mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.

                                             YES     X       NO
                                                  -------        --------

5,953,703 Common Shares were outstanding as of November 9, 1998


<PAGE>   2

        The Dayton Superior Corporation Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended October 
2, 1998 is being amended hereby to correct an inadvertent error in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet of Dayton Superior Corporation and Subsidiaries as
of October 2, 1998.  As a result of the correction of this error, "Inventories"
in this balance sheet has been increased to $35,876 (from $35,868) and,
accordingly, "Total current assets" has been increased to $96,232 (from         
$96,224). "Rental equipment, net" has been decreased to $50,603 (from           
$50,611). There was no change to "Total assets". Income taxes payable has been
reduced to $1,579 (from $3,414), and, accordingly, "Total current liabilities"
has been reduced to $43,356 (from $45,191); Total liabilities" has been reduced
to $184,517 (from $186,352); and "Total liabilities and shareholders' equity"   
has been reduced to $258,049 (from $259,884) (all amounts in thousands). No
changes to the Consolidated Income Statements, Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, or Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements, were necessary.





                                      2
<PAGE>   3

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                  DAYTON SUPERIOR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   AS OF OCTOBER 2, 1998 AND DECEMBER 31, 1997
                             (Amounts in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            October 2,        December 31,
                                                                              1998                1997
                                                                            ---------          ---------

                                     ASSETS
<S>                                                                         <C>                   <C>   
CURRENT ASSETS:
      Cash                                                                  $      18          $       -
      Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
         doubtful accounts of $1,703 and $5,015                                54,695             35,054
      Inventories (Note 3)                                                     35,876             32,873
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                 2,770              3,047
      Prepaid income taxes                                                          -              2,087
      Future tax benefits                                                       2,873              3,657
                                                                            ---------          ---------
         Total current assets                                                  96,232             76,718
                                                                            ---------          ---------

RENTAL EQUIPMENT, NET                                                          50,603             38,327
                                                                            ---------          ---------

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT                                                    61,858             58,063
      Less accumulated depreciation                                           (20,987)           (16,711)
                                                                            ---------          ---------
         Net property, plant & equipment                                       40,871             41,352
                                                                            ---------          ---------

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS,
      net of accumulated amortization                                          69,239             68,590
OTHER ASSETS                                                                    1,104              1,943
                                                                            ---------          ---------
                         Total assets                                       $ 258,049          $ 226,930
                                                                            =========          =========

                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
      Current portion of long-term debt (Note 4)                            $      32          $      32
      Accounts payable                                                         23,080             15,753
      Income taxes payable                                                      1,579                  -
      Accrued compensation and benefits                                        10,175              7,480
      Accrued liabilities                                                       7,377              7,128
      Accrued interest                                                          1,113                960
                                                                            ---------          ---------
         Total current liabilities                                             43,356             31,353

LONG-TERM DEBT (Note 4)                                                       125,511            120,204
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                                           7,139              8,079
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES                                                     8,511              6,765
                                                                            ---------          ---------
         Total liabilities                                                    184,517            166,401
                                                                            ---------          ---------
         

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
      Class A Common Shares                                                    41,907             33,386
      Class B Common Shares                                                     5,360              9,749
      Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment                         (268)              (191)
      Retained earnings                                                        26,533             17,585
                                                                            ---------          ---------
         Total shareholders' equity                                            73,532             60,529
                                                                            ---------          ---------
                         Total liabilities and shareholders' equity         $ 258,049          $ 226,930
                                                                            =========          =========
</TABLE>


           The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
           are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.

                                        3


<PAGE>   4

                  DAYTON SUPERIOR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
         FOR THE THREE AND NINE FISCAL MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 2, 1998 AND
                               SEPTEMBER 26, 1997
           (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Three Fiscal Months Ended           Nine Fiscal Months Ended
                                                             -------------------------           ------------------------
                                                            October 2,       September 26,     October 2,      September 26,
                                                               1998             1997             1998              1997
                                                           -----------       -----------      -----------       -----------

<S>                                                        <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>        
NET SALES                                                  $    82,809       $    42,592      $   218,790       $   108,411

COST OF SALES                                                   48,635            28,211          135,921            73,389
                                                           -----------       -----------      -----------       -----------

      Gross profit                                              34,174            14,381           82,869            35,022

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES                    19,567             7,113           56,468            19,861

AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES                           497               467            1,529             1,392
                                                           -----------       -----------      -----------       -----------

      Operating income                                          14,110             6,801           24,872            13,769

OTHER EXPENSES:

      Interest expense, net                                      2,967               823            8,781             2,306

      Other, net                                                  (177)                9             (178)               20
                                                           -----------       -----------      -----------       -----------

      Income before provision for income taxes                  11,320             5,969           16,269            11,443

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                                       5,094             2,576            7,321             4,939
                                                           -----------       -----------      -----------       -----------

NET INCOME                                                 $     6,226       $     3,393      $     8,948       $     6,504
                                                           ===========       ===========      ===========       ===========

Basic net income per share                                 $      1.05       $      0.59      $      1.53       $      1.14
                                                           ===========       ===========      ===========       ===========

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding             5,953,803         5,714,188        5,839,008         5,695,964
                                                           ===========       ===========      ===========       ===========

Diluted net income per share                               $      1.01       $      0.57      $      1.47       $      1.10
                                                           ===========       ===========      ===========       ===========

Diluted weighted average common and common equivalent
      shares outstanding                                     6,193,038         5,949,092        6,073,046         5,930,576
                                                           ===========       ===========      ===========       ===========
</TABLE>




           The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
             are an integral part of these consolidated statements.


                                        4


<PAGE>   5

                  DAYTON SUPERIOR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
     FOR THE NINE FISCAL MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 2, 1998 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 1997
                             (Amounts in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    October 2,   September 26,
                                                                                      1998           1997
                                                                                    ----------   -------------

<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>     
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
         Net income                                                                 $  8,948       $  6,504
         Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
                 operating activities:
                         Depreciation                                                  7,888          3,076
                         Amortization of goodwill and intangibles                      1,529          1,392
                         Deferred income taxes                                        (1,263)          (342)
                         Amortization of deferred financing costs                        593            130
                         Gain on sales of rental equipment and property,
                            plant and equipment                                       (5,690)            (5)
         Change in assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions:
                 Accounts receivable                                                 (15,818)       (11,433)
                 Inventories                                                          (1,911)        (2,288)
                 Prepaid income taxes and income taxes payable                         3,666          2,808
                 Accounts payable                                                      6,734          3,908
                 Accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities                   3,285            (40)
                 Accrued interest                                                        153            131
                 Other, net                                                              375           (905)
                                                                                    --------       --------
                         Net cash provided by operating activities                     8,489          2,936
                                                                                    --------       --------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
         Property, plant and equipment additions                                      (3,894)        (1,847)
         Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                             759             10
         Rental equipment additions, net                                              (6,537)        (1,271)
         Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (Note 2)                                  (1,602)        (2,081)
         Other investing activities                                                        -            (13)
                                                                                    --------       --------
                         Net cash used in investing activities                       (11,274)        (5,202)
                                                                                    --------       --------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
         Issuance of long-term debt                                                    2,748          3,588
         Issuance of common stock                                                        132            237
                                                                                    --------       --------
                         Net cash provided by financing activities                     2,880          3,825
                                                                                    --------       --------

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH                                                  (77)           (12)
                                                                                    --------       --------

                         Net increase in cash                                             18          1,547

CASH, beginning of period                                                                  -            203
                                                                                    --------       --------
CASH, end of period                                                                 $     18       $  1,750
                                                                                    ========       ========

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:
         Cash paid for income taxes                                                 $  4,053       $  2,443
         Cash paid for interest                                                        8,035          2,072
         Issuance of common stock in conjunction with acquisition (Note 2)             4,000            451
</TABLE>

           The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
              are an integral part of these consolidated statements

                                        5

<PAGE>   6

                  DAYTON SUPERIOR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
         FOR THE THREE AND NINE FISCAL MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 2, 1998 AND
                               SEPTEMBER 26, 1997
                             (Amounts in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Three Fiscal Months Ended   Nine Fiscal Months Ended
                                                  -------------------------   ------------------------
                                                 October 2,   September 26,   October 2,   September 26,
                                                    1998          1997           1998          1997
                                                 ----------   -------------   ----------   -------------


<S>                                                <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>    
NET INCOME                                         $ 6,226       $ 3,393       $ 8,948       $ 6,504

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:

      Foreign currency translation adjustment          (51)           (7)          (77)          (12)
                                                   -------       -------       -------       -------

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                               $ 6,175       $ 3,386       $ 8,871       $ 6,492
                                                   =======       =======       =======       =======
</TABLE>




           The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
             are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

                                        6


<PAGE>   7


                  DAYTON SUPERIOR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                     OCTOBER 2, 1998 AND SEPTEMBER 26, 1997
                                   (UNAUDITED)
           (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

(1) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared
by the Company, without audit, and include, in the opinion of management, all
adjustments necessary to state fairly the information set forth therein. Any
such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. Certain information and
footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted,
although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the
information presented not misleading. It is suggested that these unaudited
consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's annual
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1997.

(2) ACQUISITIONS

     (a) SYMONS CORPORATION--On September 29, 1997, the Company purchased the
         stock of Symons Corporation (Symons). Symons was a private company,
         which owned two businesses. The first business, Symons, a leading
         manufacturer of prefabricated concrete forms, is based in the Chicago
         area, and is being operated by the Company as a stand alone unit. The
         second business, Richmond Screw Anchor, manufactures and sells concrete
         accessories and has been combined with the Company's existing concrete
         accessories division.

         The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase, and the results
         of Symons have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial
         statements since the date of acquisition. The purchase price consisted
         of cash paid of approximately $32,300, a note payable to one of the
         selling shareholders of $5,000 and assumed long-term debt of
         approximately $47,700. The purchase agreement between the Company and
         the former shareholders of Symons ("the Former Shareholders") relating
         to the Acquisition ("the Purchase Agreement") provides for an
         adjustment to the purchase price under certain circumstances. The
         Company has advised the Former Shareholders that it believes it is
         entitled to a purchase price adjustment in its favor, and the Former
         Shareholders similarly advised the Company that they believe they are
         entitled to a purchase price adjustment in their favor. If the Company
         and the Former Shareholders are unable to resolve these differences,
         the dispute will be referred to a mutually satisfactory accounting
         firm, which is expected to resolve such differences, in accordance with
         the Purchase Agreement. On June 12, 1998, the Former 



                                       7
<PAGE>   8


         Stockholders filed a lawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court seeking a
         determination with respect to a limited number of issues involved in
         the dispute, which the Company believes can be resolved only through
         arbitration. On October 28, 1998, the Court granted the Company's
         motion to dismiss with respect to certain of these issues (as to which
         the Company intends to proceed with arbitration) and retained
         jurisdiction with respect to the remainder of the issues. At this time,
         the Company can make no determination as to the amount of the
         adjustment, if any, that will be made to the purchase price. The
         company intends to vigorously pursue its rights under the Purchase
         Agreement.

         The unaudited pro forma income statement as though Symons had been
         acquired on January 1, 1997 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Three fiscal months           Nine fiscal months
                                                                 ended Sept. 26, 1997         ended Sept. 26, 1997
                                                                -----------------------       ----------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>                      <C>        
          Net sales                                                       $77,112                  $  $193,325
          Gross profit                                                     28,603                       69,305
          Net income                                                        4,285                        6,417
          Basic net income per share                                         0.75                         1.13
          Diluted net income per share                                       0.72                         1.08
</TABLE>

         The pro forma financial information is presented for informational
         purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating
         results that would have occurred had the Symons acquisition been
         consummated as of the above date, nor are they necessarily indicative
         of future operating results.

     (b) CONCRETE ACCESSORIES, INC.--In May 1998, the Company purchased all of
         the stock of Concrete Accessories, Inc. (CAI) for 218,158 Class A
         Common Shares valued at $4,000, plus the assumption of $2,245 of
         long-term debt. In accordance with the share exchange agreement between
         the Company and the former shareholders of CAI, the purchase price has
         been increased by $259 and will be paid with a combination of cash and
         Class A Common Shares. CAI is being operated as a part of the Company's
         concrete forming systems division.

         The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase, and the results
         of CAI have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial
         statements since the date of acquisition. The purchase price has been
         allocated based on the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and
         liabilities assumed. Certain appraisals and evaluations are 
         preliminary and may change.

     (c) IRONCO MANUFACTURING CO., INC.--In February 1997, the Company acquired
         certain of the assets and assumed certain of the liabilities of Ironco
         Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Birmingham Bar Coating, Inc. for $1,493,
         payable in $1,147 of cash and 



                                       8
<PAGE>   9


         26,254 Class A Common Shares. These operations are a part of the
         Company's paving products division.


     (d) NORTHWOODS--In May 1998, the Company purchased the assets of the
         Northwoods branches of Concrete Forming, Inc. for $750 in cash. The
         Northwoods branches are being operated as a part of the Company's
         concrete forming systems division.

         The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase, and the results
         of the Northwoods branches have been included in the accompanying
         consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. The
         purchase price has been allocated based on the estimated fair values of
         the assets acquired. Certain appraisals and evaluations are preliminary
         and may change.

     (e) SECURE, INC.--In June 1998, the Company purchased substantially all of
         the assets of Secure, Inc., a subsidiary of The Lofland Company, for
         approximately $600 in cash. This business is being operated as a part
         of the Company's paving products division.

         The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase, and the results
         of the business have been included in the accompanying consolidated
         financial statements since the date of acquisition. The purchase price
         has been allocated based on the estimated fair values of the assets
         acquired and liabilities assumed.
         Certain appraisals and evaluations are preliminary and may change.


(3) ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with the accounting policies described in the notes to the Company's
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1997. While
management believes that the procedures followed in the preparation of interim
financial information are reasonable, the accuracy of some estimated amounts is
dependent upon facts that will exist or calculations that will be accomplished
at year end. Examples of such estimates include changes in the LIFO reserve
(based upon the Company's best estimate of inflation to date) and management
bonuses. Any adjustments pursuant to such estimates during the fiscal quarter
were of a normal recurring nature.

     (a) FISCAL QUARTER--The Company's fiscal quarters are defined as the
         periods ending on the Friday nearest to the end of March, June and
         September.



                                       9
<PAGE>   10


     (b) INVENTORIES--Substantially all inventories of the domestic Dayton
         Superior and Dur-O-Wal operations are stated at the lower of last in,
         first out (LIFO) cost or market (which approximates current cost). All
         other inventories are stated at the lower of first-in, first-out (FIFO)
         cost or market. Following is a summary of the components of inventories
         as of October 2, 1998 and December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               October 2,          December 31, 
                                                                                  1998                 1997
                                                                            -----------------    ------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>                 <C>   
          Raw materials                                                           $7,594              $6,957
          Finished goods and work in progress                                     28,282              25,916
                                                                            -----------------    ------------------
                                                                                  35,876              32,873
          LIFO reserve                                                              -                    -
                                                                            -----------------    ------------------
                                                                                 $35,876             $32,873
                                                                            =================    ==================
</TABLE>


     (c) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS--The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage
         interest rate risk associated with its floating rate borrowing. The
         swap agreements are contracts to exchange floating rate for fixed
         interest payments periodically over the life of the agreements without
         the exchange of the underlying amounts. The differential paid or
         received on the interest rate agreements is recognized as an adjustment
         to interest expense. The fair value of the interest rate swaps in place
         at October 2, 1998 is a liability of $1,762.

     (d) NET INCOME PER SHARE--In February 1997, the Financial Accounting
         Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
         128 "Earnings per Share" ("SFAS 128"). This standard was effective for
         both interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 1997. As a
         result, the Company's reported earnings per share for the three and
         nine fiscal months ended September 26, 1997 were impacted as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Per Share Amounts
                                                                 -----------------

                                                     Three fiscal months   Nine fiscal months
                                                           ended                 ended         
                                                       Sept. 26, 1997        Sept. 26, 1997    
                                                       --------------        --------------    
                                                                                               
<S>                                                        <C>                  <C>            
Primary net income per share, as reported                  $0.57                $1.09          
                                                                                               
Effect of SFAS 128                                          0.02                 0.05          
                                                       --------------        --------------    
                                                                                               
Basic net income per share, as restated                    $0.59                $1.14          
                                                       --------------        --------------    
                                                                                               
Fully diluted net income per share, as reported            $0.57                $1.09          
                                                                                               
Effect of SFAS 128                                             -                 0.01          
                                                       --------------        --------------    
                                                                                               
Diluted net income per share, as restated                  $0.57                $1.10          
                                                       ==============        ==============    
</TABLE>

                                       10
<PAGE>   11



         A reconciliation of basic net income per share to diluted net income
         per share is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Net Income           Shares          Per Share
                                                                    ----------           ------          ---------
<S>                                                                       <C>            <C>                <C>  
          For the three fiscal months ended Oct. 2, 1998:
               Basic net income per share                                 $6,226         5,953,803          $1.05
                                                                                                       ==============
               Effect of stock options                                       -             239,235
                                                                  ---------------    --------------
               Diluted net income per share                               $6,226         6,193,038          $1.01
                                                                  ===============    ==============    ==============
          For the nine fiscal months ended Oct. 2, 1998:
               Basic net income per share                                 $8,948         5,839,008          $1.53
                                                                                                       ==============
               Effect of stock options                                       -             234,038
                                                                  ---------------    --------------
               Diluted net income per share                               $8,948         6,073,046          $1.47
                                                                  ===============    ==============    ==============
          For the three fiscal months ended Sept. 26, 1997:
               Basic net income per share                                 $3,393         5,714,188          $0.59
                                                                                                       ==============
               Effect of stock options                                       -             234,904
                                                                  ---------------    --------------
               Diluted net income per share                               $3,393         5,949,092          $0.57
                                                                  ===============    ==============    ==============
          For the nine fiscal months ended Sept. 26, 1997:
               Basic net income per share                                 $6,504         5,695,964          $1.14
                                                                                                       ==============
               Effect of stock options                                       -             234,612
                                                                  ---------------    --------------
               Diluted net income per share                               $6,504         5,930,576          $1.10
                                                                  ===============    ==============    ==============
</TABLE>

     (e)  RECLASSIFICATIONS--Certain reclassifications have been made to the 
          1997 amounts to conform to their 1998 classifications.

(4) CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS

Following is a summary of the Company's long-term debt as of October 2, 1998 and
December 31, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     October 2,          December 31, 
                                                                                       1998                   1997
                                                                                     ---------             ---------

<S>                                                                                  <C>                   <C>      
Revolving lines of credit, weighted average interest rate 
   of 7.4%                                                                           $  20,330             $  15,000
Term Loan, weighted average interest rate of 8.4%                                      100,000               100,000
Note payable to one of the Former Shareholders, 10.5%                                    5,000                 5,000
City of Parsons, Kansas Economic Development Loan, 7%                                      213                   236
                                                                                     ---------             ---------
Total long-term debt                                                                   125,543               120,236
Less current portion                                                                        32                    32
                                                                                     ---------             ---------
Long-term portion                                                                     $125,511              $120,204
                                                                                      ========              ========
</TABLE>


                                       11
<PAGE>   12


At October 2, 1998, $40,000 of the $40,000 Revolving Credit Facility was
available, of which $20,330 of borrowings was outstanding. Average borrowings
under the Revolving Credit Facility and its predecessors were $20,712 and
$28,222 during the first nine months of 1998 and 1997, respectively, at an
approximate weighted average interest rate of 7.7% and 7.4%, respectively. The
maximum borrowings outstanding during the first nine months of 1998 and 1997,
respectively, were $26,620 and $32,403, respectively.

The Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants which, among other
things, require that the Company maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio,
not exceed a certain leverage ratio and limit the payment of dividends on Common
Shares. The Company was in compliance with its loan covenants as of October 2,
1998.

(5) STOCK OPTION PLANS

The Company has five stock option plans all of which provide for an option
exercise price equal to the stock's market price on the date of grant and all of
which are accounted for under APB Opinion No. 25, under which no compensation
costs have been recognized. Had compensation cost for these plans been
determined consistent with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"), the Company's net income
and net income per share for the three and nine fiscal months ended October 2,
1998 and September 26, 1997 would have been reduced to the following pro forma
amounts:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                For the three fiscal             For the nine fiscal
                                                                    months ended                    months ended
                                                            ----------------------------    ----------------------------
                                                               Oct. 2,        Sept. 26,       Oct. 2,         Sept. 26,
                                                                1998            1997           1998             1997
                                                            -------------    -----------    -----------     ------------
<S>                                  <C>                        <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>   
Net income                           As Reported                $6,226         $3,393         $8,948           $6,504
                                     Pro Forma                   6,170          3,344          8,758            6,412

Basic net income per share           As Reported                  1.05           0.59           1.53             1.14
                                     Pro Forma                    1.04           0.59           1.50             1.13

Diluted net income per share         As Reported                  1.01           0.57           1.47             1.10
                                     Pro Forma                    1.00           0.56           1.45             1.08
</TABLE>


Because the SFAS 123 method of accounting has not been applied to options
granted prior to January 1, 1995, the resulting pro forma compensation cost may
not be representative of that to be expected in future years.



                                       12
<PAGE>   13


A summary of the activity of the Company's stock option plans for the nine
fiscal months ended October 2, 1998 is presented in the table below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Weighted
                                                                         Average
                                                                        Exercise
                                                      Number of         Price Per
                                                       Shares             Share
                                                   --------------    ---------------
<S>                                                      <C>                 <C>   
Outstanding at December 31, 1997                         276,250             $ 3.57
Exercised                                                 (2,050)              2.46
Granted                                                   83,833              17.11
                                                   ==============    ===============
Outstanding at October 2, 1998                           358,033             $ 6.75
                                                   ==============    ===============
</TABLE>









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<PAGE>   14


SIGNATURES
----------

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                         DAYTON SUPERIOR CORPORATION



         DATE:  December 1, 1998                 BY:  /s/ Alan F. McIlroy
                ---------------------                ---------------------------
                                                     Alan F. McIlroy
                                                     Chief Financial Officer





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