<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COLEMAN COMPANY, INC. FOR THE PERIODS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          23,413                  13,031                  17,299
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  169,983                 188,686                 221,454
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,894                   8,930                  11,512
<INVENTORY>                                    230,126                 236,327                 287,502
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               462,200                 491,696                 591,637
<PP&E>                                         268,691                 289,527                 297,765
<DEPRECIATION>                                 122,868                 114,033                  98,583
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 933,257               1,041,764               1,160,086
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          247,288                 253,197                 246,494
<BONDS>                                            362                 477,276                 582,866
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                           558                     534                     532
<OTHER-SE>                                     238,057                 239,935                 252,413
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   933,257               1,041,764               1,160,086
<SALES>                                      1,009,128               1,143,349               1,215,865
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,015,373               1,154,294               1,220,216
<CGS>                                          748,295                 828,107                 917,947
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  748,295                 828,107                 917,947
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,451                   2,200                   5,225
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              33,213                  40,852                  38,727
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (26,441)                 (6,377)                (50,301)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,846                 (5,227)                (10,927)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (40,563)                 (2,536)                (41,246)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (17,538)                       0                   (647)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (58,101)                 (2,536)                (41,893)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.05)                   (.05)                   (.79)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.05)                   (.05)                   (.79)


</TABLE>