<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from financial
information for Morris Material Handling, Inc. and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001060951
<NAME> MORRIS MATERIAL HANDLING, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-2000             OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1999             AUG-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-2000             OCT-31-2000
<CASH>                                           2,607                   2,607
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   60,854                  60,854
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,059)                 (3,059)
<INVENTORY>                                     31,813                  31,813
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                96,419                  96,419
<PP&E>                                          68,365                  68,365
<DEPRECIATION>                                (33,969)                (33,969)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 176,171                 176,171
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           83,453                  83,453
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (194,679)               (194,679)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   176,171                 176,171
<SALES>                                        268,074                  69,685
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               268,074                  69,685
<CGS>                                        (210,782)                (55,143)
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                (210,782)                (55,143)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (94,231)                (19,081)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (22,355)                 (3,101)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (53,744)                 (7,640)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,225)                   (964)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (56,746)                 (8,623)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (56,746)                 (8,623)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0




</TABLE>