<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE DECEMBER
26, 1998 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BOSS HOLDINGS, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 26, 1998.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1998             DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1997             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-26-1998             DEC-27-1997
<CASH>                                       2,131,000               2,122,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                6,939,000               8,236,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   455,000                 507,000
<INVENTORY>                                 13,777,000              12,493,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            23,003,000              22,994,000
<PP&E>                                       4,743,000               4,270,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              28,970,000              28,562,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,640,000               5,556,000
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       486,000                 448,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  19,349,000              18,675,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                28,970,000              28,562,000
<SALES>                                     37,543,000              78,400,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            37,543,000              78,400,000
<CGS>                                       26,762,000              54,703,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               10,739,000              24,396,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (18,000)                (11,000)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               893,000             (3,792,000)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             381,000               1,799,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                572,000             (6,279,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (68,000)                 256,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            640,000             (6,525,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   640,000             (6,535,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.34                  (5.13)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.33                  (5.13)
        

</TABLE>