<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 TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001060951
<NAME> MORRIS MATERIAL HANDLING, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998             OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1997             MAY-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1998             JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                           3,582                   3,582
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   78,489                  78,489
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,098)                 (1,098)
<INVENTORY>                                     38,435                  38,435
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 4,666                   4,666
<PP&E>                                          64,477                  64,477
<DEPRECIATION>                                (25,236)                (25,236)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 297,145                 297,145
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           70,574                  70,574
<BONDS>                                        254,590                 254,590
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           92,368                  92,368
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (124,468)               (124,468)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   297,145                 297,145
<SALES>                                        231,675                  74,426
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               232,792                  74,817
<CGS>                                          167,324                  52,152
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   44,096                  14,582
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,061<F1>                   0<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (11,164)                 (7,013)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,181                   1,066
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,896)                   (450)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,285                     616
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,285                     616
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
<FN>
<F1>AS A RESULT OF THE RECAPITALIZATION, THE COMPANY EXPERIENCED A SERIES OF
NON-RECURRING EMPLOYEE BENEFIT COSTS. THESE COSTS INCLUDED SEVERENCE COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH RESTRUCTURING THE COMPANY'S UNITED KINGDOM MANUFACTURING
OPERATION AND INCENTIVES TO CERTAIN MEMBERS OF MANAGEMENT. THE COMPANY'S FORMER
PARENT, NOT THE COMPANY, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THESE INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.
THE SEVERANCE COSTS WERE APPROXIMATELY $0.7 MILLION AND THE INCENTIVES TO
MANAGEMENT WERE APPROXIMATELY $1.2 MILLION.

PARENT MANAGEMENT FEES ALLOCATED BY HII (PRIOR TO THE RECAPITALIZATION) WHICH
REPRESENTED AN ALLOCATION OF HII'S CORPORATE EXPENSES WERE $1.2 MILLION AND
$1.4 MILLION FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS 1998 AND FIRST NINE MONTHS 1997,
RESPECTIVELY.
<F2>PARENT MANAGEMENT FEES ALLOCATED BY HII (PRIOR TO THE RECAPITALIZATION) 
WHICH REPRESENTED AN ALLOCATION OF HII'S CORPORATE EXPENSES WERE $0.0 MILLION 
AND $0.7 FOR THIRD QUARTER 1998 AND THIRD QUARTER 1997, RESPECTIVELY.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>