<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MARCH 31, 1999 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THREE-MONTH AND SIX-MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999
OF VARI-LITE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AS SET FORTH IN THIS FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999             MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           3,175                   3,175
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,487                  15,487
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (890)                   (890)
<INVENTORY>                                      5,791                   5,791
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                26,005                  26,005
<PP&E>                                         154,563                 154,563
<DEPRECIATION>                                (76,956)                (76,956)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 112,025                 112,025
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,583                  16,583
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      44,334                  44,334
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   112,025                 112,025
<SALES>                                          2,289                   4,903
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                23,170                  48,418
<CGS>                                            1,769                   3,651
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   12,772                  25,617
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,096                  21,045
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    17                      32
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 991                   2,032
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (689)                   (276)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (280)                   (109)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (409)                   (167)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.05)                  (0.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.05)                  (0.02)
        

</TABLE>