<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> BD
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000799824
<NAME> The Futures Expansion Fund Limited Partnership
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<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>                                               0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                               10,242,634              10,477,200
<SECURITIES-RESALE>                                  0                       0
<SECURITIES-BORROWED>                                0                       0
<INSTRUMENTS-OWNED>                                  0                       0
<PP&E>                                               0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              10,242,634              10,477,200
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0                       0
<PAYABLES>                                     347,018                 586,097
<REPOS-SOLD>                                         0                       0
<SECURITIES-LOANED>                                  0                       0
<INSTRUMENTS-SOLD>                                   0                       0
<LONG-TERM>                                          0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                   9,895,616               9,891,103
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                10,242,634              10,477,200
<TRADING-REVENUE>                            1,760,703               3,095,679
<INTEREST-DIVIDENDS>                           382,717                 468,023
<COMMISSIONS>                                1,120,320               1,208,671
<INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES>                        0                       0
<FEE-REVENUE>                                        0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<COMPENSATION>                                       0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                792,838               1,883,055
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     792,838               1,883,055
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   792,838               1,883,055
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    20.61                   43.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    20.61                   43.77
        

</TABLE>