<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SUPERIOR FINANCIAL CORP. FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          48,241
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    354,915
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                      1,004,961
<ALLOWANCE>                                     11,346
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,591,945
<DEPOSITS>                                     977,936
<SHORT-TERM>                                   205,500
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             11,423
<LONG-TERM>                                    291,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           101
<OTHER-SE>                                     105,485
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,591,945
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 75,153
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               23,349
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                 1,274
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                99,776
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              33,971
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              58,513
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           41,263
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    2,270
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                (197)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 48,086
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,833
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      17,833
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,386
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.13
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.06
<LOANS-NON>                                      1,959
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                10,472
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    2,895
<RECOVERIES>                                     1,500
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               11,346
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            11,346
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          3,177


</TABLE>