<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE HELLER
FINANCIAL, INC. ANNUAL REPORT FORM 10K FOR THE PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1998
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                               0
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                             529
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                        488
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                         11,854
<ALLOWANCE>                                      (271)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  14,366
<DEPOSITS>                                           0
<SHORT-TERM>                                     3,681
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              1,945
<LONG-TERM>                                      6,768
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        400
<COMMON>                                         1,450
<OTHER-SE>                                         112
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                  14,366
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  1,047
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                    0
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     0
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 1,047
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 624
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                              423
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                       77
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0<F1>
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                    399
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    290
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                         290
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       193<F2>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.23
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.73
<LOANS-NON>                                        207
<LOANS-PAST>                                        84
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                    14
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   261
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      145
<RECOVERIES>                                        64
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                  271
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                            271
        

</TABLE>