I have had some success with creating multiple data driven pages without using Python. I had a similar issue with needing one MXD containing multiple data frames. The main focus of the project was linear for several miles (occasionally changing direction), it had to be at a constant scale, and the data frame had to be viewed in landscape position. In my case, I had setup the Layout first and then setup the dataframe at the display scale I needed in my Layout. I had to leave room for an Index to my grids showing the overall project, a legend, title, etc. I created stripmap grids at my particular scale & used my data frame to determine the size of the grids. I added an attribute to calculate the rotation/angle (field type had to be 'double') to be used for each of the grids. By using the 'Data Frame Tools' toolbar I tested the rotation/angle needed to make the project look horizonal in my data frame too. I copied the data frame and pasted the same size data frame just below the first. Once I had all of the rotations of each of the girds come up correctly as I cycled through the page numbers, I made a copy of that feature class to use as for my 'Index' map window. I then created two addtional feature classes from my Index feature class, one for "Odd" numbered grids and one for "Even" numbered grids. I deleted the ones I didn't need. So now I have 3 feature classes (one with ALL the grids called "Index", one with ONLY "Odd" grids, and one ONLY with "Even" grids). I renamed my 'Layers' top data frame to 'Odd grids' and the bottom data frame called 'Even grids'. I added the respective feature classes to the odd & even data frames. I had to setup the Data Driven Pages twice, one for each data frame, and making sure I had the correct data frame 'Activated'. Also used the 'Data Frame Properties' Tab to setup the extent. I used the optional fields for my rotation/angle. Unfortunately I wasn't able to use the 'Multiexport' function. I had to click on my upper data frame ("Odd grids") go to appropriate page number; then click on the lower window ("Even grids") go to appropriate page number; then I could export my Sheet. Sheet 1 had grids 1 & 2, Sheet 2 had grids 3 & 4, etc.