<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001051490
<NAME> EXTENDED SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1999             JUN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998             JUL-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           7,573                   7,573
<SECURITIES>                                     3,750                   3,750
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,250                   9,250
<ALLOWANCES>                                       503                     503
<INVENTORY>                                      5,705                   5,705
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                29,084                  29,084
<PP&E>                                          14,093                  14,093
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,392                   5,392
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  39,603                  39,603
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,512                  12,512
<BONDS>                                            321                     321
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             8                       8
<OTHER-SE>                                      26,587                  26,587
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    39,603                  39,603
<SALES>                                          9,259                  22,802
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 9,259                  22,802
<CGS>                                            5,698                  11,517
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,698                  11,517
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,465                  13,385
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    78                     239
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 183                     370
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,087)                 (2,470)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,146)                   (579)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,941)                 (1,891)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,941)                 (1,891)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.35)                  (0.23)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.35)                  (0.23)
        

</TABLE>