<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Atlas
Corporation September 30, 1996 Consolidated Financial Statements and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                        <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              9-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           2,129                   2,129
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      114                     114
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                        250                     250
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,781                   2,781
<PP&E>                                          53,068                  53,068
<DEPRECIATION>                                  44,447                  44,447
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  41,914                  41,914
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,789                   3,789
<BONDS>                                         13,500                  13,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        20,157                  20,157
<OTHER-SE>                                      (5,280)                 (5,280)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    41,914                  41,914
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0                       0
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 954                     317
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (4,699)                 (2,136)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (6,935)                 (2,834)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (6,935)                 (2,834)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.35)                   (.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.35)                   (.14)
        

</TABLE>