<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ECOGEN, INC INCLUDED IN FORM 10Q
FOR THE SECOND QUARTER ENDED APRIL 30, 2000 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-31-2000             OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             NOV-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-2000             APR-30-2000
<CASH>                                           6,668                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,467,722                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                    80,000                       0
<INVENTORY>                                  4,988,315                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             7,841,166                       0
<PP&E>                                       7,276,406                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                               5,216,240                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,872,386                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        6,583,928                       0
<BONDS>                                      1,104,616                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                        474                       0
<COMMON>                                       124,098                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,872,386                       0
<SALES>                                      2,376,124               3,475,624
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,376,124               3,475,624
<CGS>                                        1,991,860               2,898,390
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,086,939               6,645,410
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             226,750                 372,997
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,937,565)             (3,488,432)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (1,937,565)             (3,488,432)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,292,422)             (3,998,466)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.19)                   (.36)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.19)                   (.36)


</TABLE>