<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30,
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>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999             SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999             JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                           2,111                   2,111
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,418                  12,418
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (735)                   (735)
<INVENTORY>                                      6,035                   6,035
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                22,176                  22,176
<PP&E>                                         159,298                 159,298
<DEPRECIATION>                                (80,348)                (80,348)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 109,662                 109,662
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           61,920                  61,920
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      43,216                  43,216
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   109,662                 109,662
<SALES>                                          1,605                   6,508
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                20,066                  68,484
<CGS>                                            1,067                   4,718
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,398                  36,015
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,367                  31,412
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    60                      92
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,119                   3,151
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,818)                 (2,094)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (718)                   (827)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,100)                 (1,267)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.14)                  (0.16)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.14)                  (0.16)


</TABLE>