>What are some good data modeling books. I'm thinking specifically of going to a possible customer site and being able to break out a model based on discussions, forms and process. Also if the customer sends out documentation notes, method(s) to interpret and again be able to develop the data model.

one good book is UML Distilled by Folwer, Scott and Booch
another is Applying UML and Patterns by Craig Larman

Arnon