<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> BD
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM STATEMENTS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION, STATEMENTS OF INCOME, STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS'
CAPITAL AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000835666
<NAME> ML FUTURES INVESTMENTS L.P.
       
<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>                               18,167,144              28,661,014
<SECURITIES-RESALE>                                  0                       0
<SECURITIES-BORROWED>                                0                       0
<INSTRUMENTS-OWNED>                          7,519,322                       0
<PP&E>                                               0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,686,466              28,661,014
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0                       0
<PAYABLES>                                     411,480                 849,277
<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>                                  25,274,986              27,811,737
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                25,686,466              28,661,014
<TRADING-REVENUE>                            2,875,058               5,208,852
<INTEREST-DIVIDENDS>                         1,097,560               1,423,730
<COMMISSIONS>                                2,422,074               2,942,578
<INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES>                        0                       0
<FEE-REVENUE>                                        0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<COMPENSATION>                                       0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,377,480               3,277,107
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   1,377,480               3,277,107
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,377,480               3,277,107
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    10.26                   20.92
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    10.26                   20.92
        

</TABLE>