<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
unaudited consolidated financial statements of Champion Industries, Inc. and
Subsidiaries for the three and six months periods ending April 30, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997             OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1996             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997             APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                       2,204,361               2,204,361
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                               18,157,736              18,157,736
<ALLOWANCES>                                   939,000                 939,000
<INVENTORY>                                  9,722,799               9,722,799
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            30,703,126              30,703,126
<PP&E>                                      29,173,560              29,173,560
<DEPRECIATION>                              10,177,947              10,177,947
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              54,127,549              54,127,549
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       12,430,496              12,430,496
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                     8,104,714               8,104,714
<OTHER-SE>                                  16,006,773              16,006,773
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                54,127,549              54,127,549
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            27,813,247              47,211,113
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               18,504,420              32,633,629
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             7,195,412              11,002,329
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             388,803                 569,903
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,724,612               3,005,252
<INCOME-TAX>                                   713,229               1,752,631
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,011,383               1,752,631
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .12                     .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .12                     .21
        

</TABLE>