<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2000 AND THE RELATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE 13 AND 39 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 23,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000895364
<NAME> DUANE READE, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-2000             DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-23-2000             SEP-23-2000
<CASH>                                           1,170                   1,170
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   45,460                  45,460
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    173,188                 173,188
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               238,567                 238,567
<PP&E>                                         137,888                 137,888
<DEPRECIATION>                                (37,745)                (37,745)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 556,975                 556,975
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           84,917                  84,917
<BONDS>                                        342,200                 342,200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           181                     181
<OTHER-SE>                                     100,520                 100,520
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   556,975                 556,975
<SALES>                                        242,978                 712,803
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               242,978                 712,803
<CGS>                                          178,291                 533,039
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  178,291                 533,039
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                44,721                 131,011
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,011                  26,045
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,955                  22,708
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,729                   9,583
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,226                  13,125
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,226                  13,125
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.35                    0.75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.34                    0.72


</TABLE>