<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF SILICON GAMING, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
9/30/99 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-01-1999             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999             SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           1,102                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,664                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,308                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     10,803                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                15,929                       0
<PP&E>                                          13,623                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (8,323)                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  22,396                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,321                       0
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                      1,256                       0
<COMMON>                                        58,022                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     (93,051)                      0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    22,396                       0
<SALES>                                          1,999                  13,387
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,999                  13,387
<CGS>                                            1,329                   8,513
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,004                  24,782
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,975                   5,824
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (4,980)                (17,219)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (4,980)                (17,219)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (4,980)                (17,219)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.34)                  (1.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.34)                  (1.20)


</TABLE>