<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RBF FINANCE CO. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (MARCH 19, 1999) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             MAR-19-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                               1                       1
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,736                   3,736
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3,737                   3,737
<PP&E>                                               0                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 804,354                 804,187
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            4,109                   4,048
<BONDS>                                        800,000                 800,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                         245                     139
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   804,354                 804,187
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                67,245                  46,236
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              67,125                  45,993
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    117                     214
<INCOME-TAX>                                        41                      76
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 76                     138
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                        76                     138
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>