<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SIGHT
RESOURCE CORPORATION'S BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AS OF AND FOR
THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 25, 1999 AS REPORTED ON FORM 10-Q FOR
THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 25, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-25-1999             DEC-25-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-27-1999             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-25-1999             SEP-25-1999
<CASH>                                             774                     774
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,745                   5,745
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,750                   1,750
<INVENTORY>                                      6,815                   6,815
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                12,143                  12,143
<PP&E>                                          14,337                  14,337
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,541                   8,541
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  42,598                  42,598
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,554                   8,554
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      20,315                  20,315
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    42,598                  42,598
<SALES>                                         18,160                  51,506
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                18,160                  51,506
<CGS>                                            5,871                  16,711
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,871                  16,711
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,136                  33,630
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 203                     447
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     24                     530
<INCOME-TAX>                                        21                      66
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                         3                     464
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.00                    0.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00                    0.04


</TABLE>