WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
INFORMATION FOR MMH HOLDINGS, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999             OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1999             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1999             APR-30-1999
<CASH>                                           2,790                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   66,524                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,069)                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     42,484                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               124,444                       0
<PP&E>                                          69,423                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                (28,628)                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 300,410                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          142,422                       0
<BONDS>                                        204,097                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          101,640                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (150,689)                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   300,410                       0
<SALES>                                         71,849                 139,769
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                71,894                 139,916
<CGS>                                           54,442                 105,056
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   19,354                  35,287
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,523                  14,431
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (9,425)                (14,858)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,518)                 (1,065)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (12,922)                (15,896)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (12,922)                (15,896)
<EPS-BASIC>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>