<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF ATLAS-ENERGY FOR THE NINETIES PUBLIC #8 L FINANCIAL DATA
STATEMENT FOR 1ST QUARTER 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-2000             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000             JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                           6,678                   6,678
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  567,859                 567,859
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               574,537                 574,537
<PP&E>                                      12,573,810              12,573,810
<DEPRECIATION>                               (426,284)               (426,284)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,722,063              12,722,063
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,869                  28,869
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                  12,693,194              12,693,194
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,722,063              12,722,063
<SALES>                                        701,248                 859,984
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               721,242                 879,978
<CGS>                                           70,826                  90,668
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   70,826                  90,668
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               432,253                 533,820
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                218,163                 255,490
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            218,163                 255,490
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   218,163                 255,490
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>