diff --git a/src/textual/widgets/_data_table.py b/src/textual/widgets/_data_table.py
index a607b9a67..d70fce77d 100644
--- a/src/textual/widgets/_data_table.py
+++ b/src/textual/widgets/_data_table.py
@@ -919,7 +919,7 @@ class DataTable(ScrollView, Generic[CellType], can_focus=True):
         # Map the key of this row to its current index
         self._row_locations[row_key] = row_index
         self.data[row_key] = {
-            column.key: Text(cell) if isinstance(cell, str) else cell
+            column.key: cell
             for column, cell in zip_longest(self.ordered_columns, cells)
         }
         self.rows[row_key] = Row(row_key, height)
diff --git a/tests/test_data_table.py b/tests/test_data_table.py
index 28de49c75..23004419e 100644
--- a/tests/test_data_table.py
+++ b/tests/test_data_table.py
@@ -155,14 +155,14 @@ async def test_add_rows_user_defined_keys():
         assert isinstance(algernon_key, RowKey)
 
         # Ensure the data in the table is mapped as expected
-        first_row = {key_a: Text(ROWS[0][0]), key_b: Text(ROWS[0][1])}
+        first_row = {key_a: ROWS[0][0], key_b: ROWS[0][1]}
         assert table.data[algernon_key] == first_row
         assert table.data["algernon"] == first_row
 
-        second_row = {key_a: Text(ROWS[1][0]), key_b: Text(ROWS[1][1])}
+        second_row = {key_a: ROWS[1][0], key_b: ROWS[1][1]}
         assert table.data["charlie"] == second_row
 
-        third_row = {key_a: Text(ROWS[2][0]), key_b: Text(ROWS[2][1])}
+        third_row = {key_a: ROWS[2][0], key_b: ROWS[2][1]}
         assert table.data[auto_key] == third_row
 
         first_row = Row(algernon_key, height=1)
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ async def test_get_cell_value_returns_value_at_cell():
         table = app.query_one(DataTable)
         table.add_columns("A", "B")
         table.add_rows(ROWS)
-        assert table.get_value_at(Coordinate(0, 0)) == Text("0/0")
+        assert table.get_value_at(Coordinate(0, 0)) == "0/0"
 
 
 async def test_get_cell_value_exception():