<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEETS OF NUTRITION MEDICAL, INC. AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995, AND THE
RELATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
AND 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                         512,473               1,455,535
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  332,069                  89,105
<ALLOWANCES>                                    15,000                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    325,773                 142,023
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,450,552               1,694,302
<PP&E>                                         120,927                  97,521
<DEPRECIATION>                                  42,171                  24,034
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,529,308               1,767,789
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          737,304                 291,858
<BONDS>                                              0                 100,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        31,555                  31,055
<OTHER-SE>                                     760,449               1,344,876
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,529,308               1,767,789
<SALES>                                      1,731,257                 489,897
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,731,257                 489,897
<CGS>                                        1,082,487                 228,632
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,082,487                 228,632
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,086,593                 924,350
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                15,000                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,458                   3,799
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (429,194)               (665,390)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (429,194)               (665,390)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (429,194)               (665,390)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.10)                   (.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.10)                   (.24)
        

</TABLE>