<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET OF AIRSPAN AT OCTOBER 1, 2000 AND OCTOBER 3, 1999 AND
THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
OCTOBER 1, 2000 AND FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1999.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-01-2000             OCT-03-1999
<CASH>                                         128,506                  20,559
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,847                   4,694
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,485                     578
<INVENTORY>                                      6,075                   5,398
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               154,682                  36,709
<PP&E>                                          12,873                   9,805
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,952                   3,254
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 163,266                  45,681
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,751                   8,056
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                     585
<COMMON>                                            51                      34
<OTHER-SE>                                     128,776                  15,332
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   163,266                  45,681
<SALES>                                         21,324                   6,904
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                21,324                   6,904
<CGS>                                           13,545                   4,207
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   13,545                   4,207
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                29,888                  23,370
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   355                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,279                   1,062
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (20,019)                (20,538)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                      68
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (20,019)                (20,606)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (20,019)                (20,606)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.64)                 (25.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.64)                 (25.09)


</TABLE>