<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
SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 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>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999             JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          23,266                  19,995
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  289,303                 261,029
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,933                   9,702
<INVENTORY>                                    240,828                 223,569
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               590,873                 544,310
<PP&E>                                         272,700                 273,068
<DEPRECIATION>                                 130,335                 115,995
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,026,488               1,031,869
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          677,506                 702,241
<BONDS>                                            423                     216
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           558                     558
<OTHER-SE>                                     265,021                 267,462
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,026,488               1,031,869
<SALES>                                        680,944                 565,201
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               681,615                 570,906
<CGS>                                          468,599                 407,414
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  468,599                 407,414
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,964                   1,555
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,445                  17,923
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 65,875                  20,113
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,362                  16,190
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,936                   3,683
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                (17,538)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,936                (13,855)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.72                  (0.25)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.72                  (0.25)


</TABLE>