<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SMTC
CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM
10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 1, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-02-2000             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-01-2000             OCT-01-2000
<CASH>                                           1,353                   1,353
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  220,031                 220,031
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,245)                 (1,245)
<INVENTORY>                                    214,213                 214,213
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               442,904                 442,904
<PP&E>                                          45,708                  45,708
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 566,200                 566,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          253,038                 253,038
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           277                     277
<OTHER-SE>                                     212,080                 212,080
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   566,200                 566,200
<SALES>                                        231,492                 522,961
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               231,492                 522,961
<CGS>                                          211,957                 478,475
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  221,292                 502,754
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,663                   4,165
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   571                     731
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,665                  10,569
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,872                   5,473
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,567                   3,492
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,305                   1,981
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  2,678                   2,678
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       627                   (697)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.01                  (0.46)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.01                  (0.46)


</TABLE>