<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEETS OF NUTRTITION MEDICAL, INC. AS OF MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1996, AND THE
RELATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND
1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997             MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                       3,549,524                 858,982
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  648,287                 149,472
<ALLOWANCES>                                    33,197                       0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,089,505                 307,656
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             5,410,574               1,344,914
<PP&E>                                       1,066,765                 115,657
<DEPRECIATION>                                 107,085                  30,412
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,804,352               1,430,159
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          722,979                 431,170
<BONDS>                                      1,615,908                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                    10,195,467               2,612,667
<OTHER-SE>                                 (2,730,002)             (1,613,678)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 9,804,352               1,430,159
<SALES>                                      1,214,000                 704,923
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,214,000                 704,923
<CGS>                                          899,605                 432,979
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  899,605                 432,979
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               761,677                 363,884
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,408                   1,425
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (447,282)                (82,710)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (447,282)                (82,710)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (447,282)                (82,710)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.08)                   (.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.08)                   (.03)
        

</TABLE>