<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GATEFIELD
CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                           1,703                   3,722
<SECURITIES>                                       100                     224
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,425                  12,419
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,337                     296
<INVENTORY>                                      2,664                   1,788
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                17,511                  18,622
<PP&E>                                           5,101                   5,598
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  29,527                  28,980
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,751                  11,881
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         2,323                   1,975
<OTHER-SE>                                      55,784                  47,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    29,527                  28,980
<SALES>                                         18,232                  28,422
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                33,577                  51,117
<CGS>                                            8,439                   6,407
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   17,008                  17,493
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                35,004                  31,074
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,184                     343
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (21,376)                   1,957
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (21,376)                   1,957
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (21,376)                   1,957
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.03)                    0.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.03)                    0.09
        

</TABLE>