I made it in as far as the puzzle door that requires a claw key to activate. Some how I missed finding the key on the way in. I backtracked several time but did not find the key. Help !!!!!!!!!

Which dungeon? Lot of dungeons have them. Are you on the Golden Claw quest for Lucan?

Since this is your first post,welcome to the forums by the way,and you just joined I will assume you are talking about Bleak Falls Barrow,or the golden claw.
Travel through the barrow until you come across a giant spider descending from the ceiling,kill the spider,then talk to the guy in the spider web.
He has the claw,when you cut him down he will run.You don't have to chase him down just continue following the corridors until you come across a swing trap with spikes type gate.Search for him around there,he may be stuck behind the gate.
If you go to your quest menu and make sure the find the golden claw quest is activated it should be no problem to find him.

If you don't have that quest yet you should still be able to find him somewhere around there.

And if all else fails go to Riverwood and talk to poeple,mostly the shopkeeper there.

No. This was at Korvanjund. I was able to get the Golden Claw and finished that quest O.K.

This is for a specific quest. The claw will not appear until you have started that quest.