<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF KEY3MEDIA GROUP,
INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</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>                               SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                         123,539                  11,622
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   67,512                  75,922
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,892                   1,302
<INVENTORY>                                         94                     165
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               206,641                 108,067
<PP&E>                                          34,277                  29,538
<DEPRECIATION>                                  23,687                  19,318
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,077,337               1,002,051
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          201,467                 166,530
<BONDS>                                        367,728                 382,002
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           650                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     414,664                 393,457
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,077,337               1,002,051
<SALES>                                        175,594                 155,161
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               175,594                 155,161
<CGS>                                          154,684                 136,871
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  154,684                 136,871
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (1429)                (15,711)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,119                     323
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              23,518                  17,430
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,179)                  16,571
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (469)                   6,572
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (710)                   9,999
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (710)                   9,999
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.01)                    0.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.01)                    0.19


</TABLE>