<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GREATE BAY CASINO CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000             MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           4,568                  11,590
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      230                     248
<ALLOWANCES>                                        28                       0
<INVENTORY>                                        441                     441
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 7,285                  14,717
<PP&E>                                             798                     890
<DEPRECIATION>                                     485                     454
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   8,555                  20,808
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,663                 105,152
<BONDS>                                         41,922                  36,318
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           519                     519
<OTHER-SE>                                     (45,549)               (121,181)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     8,555                  20,808
<SALES>                                            717                   1,905
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   717                   2,205
<CGS>                                              270                   1,018
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      774                     621
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   678                  (1,199)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,587                   3,768
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (2,592)                 (2,003)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       (67)                     33
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2,525)                 (2,036)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2,525)                 (2,036)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       (.49)                   (.39)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.49)                   (.39)


</TABLE>