<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SEROLOGICALS CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTERS 
ENDED MARCH 30, 1997, JUNE 29, 1997 AND SEPTEMBER 29, 1997, AS SET FORTH IN ITS 
FORM 10-Q FOR THE RESPECTIVE PERIODS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1997             DEC-28-1997             DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-30-1996             MAR-31-1997             JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1997             JUN-29-1997             SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                          11,632                  14,371                  27,913
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,404                   8,368                  10,586
<ALLOWANCES>                                       242                       0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                      8,362                   7,706                   8,642
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                28,011                  31,712                  47,978
<PP&E>                                          16,927                  11,901                  19,562
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,739                       0                   6,818
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  89,514                  93,458                 118,002
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,178                  12,415                  14,208
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                           141                     149                     156
<OTHER-SE>                                      70,163                  77,806                  98,760
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    89,514                  93,458                 118,002
<SALES>                                         19,903                  45,962                  72,571
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                19,903                  45,962                  72,571
<CGS>                                           12,078                  29,211                  46,085
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   12,078                  29,211                  46,085
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,976                   8,281                  13,111
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (159)                   (224)                   (358)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,008                   8,694                  13,733
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,482                   3,196                   5,008
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,526                   5,498                   8,725
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,526                   5,498                   8,725
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $0.18                   $0.38                   $0.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $0.17                   $0.36                   $0.57
        

</TABLE>