<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from the Registrant Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets for December 31, 1999 and 1998 and Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>  0001084421
<NAME> INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                          19,902                 113,511
<SECURITIES>                                         0                  21,650
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,397                  12,868
<ALLOWANCES>                                       409                     764
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                31,606                 165,956
<PP&E>                                         195,479                 747,995
<DEPRECIATION>                                  40,067                 104,857
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 660,916               1,989,470
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           37,186                 116,749
<BONDS>                                        573,663               1,233,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           51,319                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                     594
<OTHER-SE>                                     (7,928)                 587,466
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   660,916               1,989,470
<SALES>                                        112,902                 242,693
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               112,902                 242,693
<CGS>                                           98,696                 277,747
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   98,696                 277,747
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,106                  50,398
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                141,873                (52,622)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                  31,586
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            141,873                (84,208)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,267)                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   138,606                (84,208)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       6.55                  (2.58)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.61                  (2.58)



</TABLE>