<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MARCH 31, 2000 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE-MONTH AND SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31,
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

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000             MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                           4,756                   4,756
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,135                  12,135
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (738)                   (738)
<INVENTORY>                                      7,910                   7,910
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,781                  25,781
<PP&E>                                         156,781                 156,781
<DEPRECIATION>                                  85,588                  85,588
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 104,042                 104,042
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           58,036                  58,036
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      42,772                  42,772
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   104,042                 104,042
<SALES>                                          3,089                   6,476
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                20,719                  48,398
<CGS>                                            1,748                   3,922
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,483                  23,725
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,074                  22,196
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    15                      30
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,213                   2,426
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,051)                      51
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (810)                      20
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,241)                      31
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.16)                    0.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.16)                    0.00


</TABLE>