<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                      22,977,666              35,183,405
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                7,065,298              13,678,197
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                 18,409,523              22,839,020
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            58,710,573              84,847,308
<PP&E>                                     497,776,156             443,722,829
<DEPRECIATION>                            (66,397,301)            (45,154,410)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             496,725,852             489,949,240
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      109,280,962<F1>          40,886,954
<BONDS>                                         60,166              35,153,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       248,231                 303,453
<OTHER-SE>                                 377,099,807             408,368,622
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               496,725,852             489,949,240
<SALES>                                    438,986,243             399,548,083
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           438,986,243             399,986,243
<CGS>                                      136,321,031             121,081,247
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              413,743,020<F2>         397,356,865<F2>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (177,711)               (843,389)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,964,969             (1,624,569)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             23,455,965               4,659,176
<INCOME-TAX>                                 8,080,232               1,607,254
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         15,375,733               3,051,922
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0               3,381,500<F3>
<NET-INCOME>                                15,375,733               (329,578)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.58                  (0.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.57                  (0.01)
<FN>
<F1>CURRENT LIABILITIES AT DECEMBER 31, 1999 INCLUDES $68,000,000 OUTSTANDING
UNDER THE COMPANY'S LINE OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
<F2>TOTAL COSTS INCLUDE STORE CLOSINGS AND SPECIAL CHARGES OF $2,945,000 AND
37,631,969 FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 & 1998, RESPECTIVELY
<F3>CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE NET OF TAX IS DUE TO THE
ADOPTION OF THE "AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS STATEMENT OF
POSITION 98-5, REPORTING ON THE COSTS OF START UP ACTIVITIES"
</FN>


</TABLE>