<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF JUNE 30, 2000 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND NINE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30,
2000 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>                          SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-2000             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000             JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                           3,474                   3,474
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,632                  12,632
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (790)                   (790)
<INVENTORY>                                     12,803                  12,803
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                30,262                  30,262
<PP&E>                                         153,634                 153,634
<DEPRECIATION>                                  86,893                  86,893
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 104,431                 104,431
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           57,639                  57,639
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      42,054                  42,054
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   104,431                 104,431
<SALES>                                          3,819                  10,295
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                21,509                  69,907
<CGS>                                            2,407                   6,329
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,490                  34,215
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,464                  32,630
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    53                      83
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,149                   3,575
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (647)                   (596)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (255)                   (235)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (392)                   (361)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.05)                  (0.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.05)                  (0.05)


</TABLE>