<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COLEMAN COMPANY, INC. FOR THE
QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999             MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          18,508                  21,498
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  230,129                 212,086
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,695                   8,051
<INVENTORY>                                    253,409                 246,343
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               540,297                 531,345
<PP&E>                                         266,641                 275,373
<DEPRECIATION>                                 125,613                 114,235
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 992,232               1,021,979
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          266,989                 328,386
<BONDS>                                            435                 360,231
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           558                     552
<OTHER-SE>                                     234,164                 266,490
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   992,232               1,021,979
<SALES>                                        280,451                 240,310
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               280,690                 244,499
<CGS>                                          198,371                 175,777
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  198,371                 175,777
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,892                     663
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,575                   9,044
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,351                   6,165
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,540                   7,518
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,741                 (1,414)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                 (1,232)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,741                 (2,646)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.12                  (0.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.12                  (0.05)


</TABLE>