             IDataRenderer(myItemRenderer).data = item;   
                     
         // Couldn't find item renderer.  Throw an RTE.
-        if (!myItemRenderer)
+        if (!myItemRenderer && failRTE)
         {
             if (item is IVisualElement || item is DisplayObject)
                 throw new Error("DataGroup cannot display visual elements directly unless the elements " + 

     *  Setting this property sets the typicalLayoutElement property
     *  of the layout.
     * 
     *  @default null
     */
    public function get typicalItem():Object

     *
     *  @return The renderer that represents the data elelement.
     */
    private function createRendererForItem(item:Object, failRTE:Boolean=true):IVisualElement
    {
        var myItemRenderer:IVisualElement;
        
