<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COYNE INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISES CORP. AND
SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999 AND 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998             OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-26-1997             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998             OCT-31-1999
<CASH>                                       1,073,456                 213,407
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,213,035              16,768,958
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                  6,846,393               7,371,395
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            51,402,204              52,987,938
<PP&E>                                      88,232,681              95,853,034
<DEPRECIATION>                              44,298,091              49,299,325
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             117,367,439             121,845,582
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       34,336,030              32,861,457
<BONDS>                                     88,537,653              97,547,337
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                  4,806,200               4,806,200
<COMMON>                                           769                     769
<OTHER-SE>                                (11,883,952)            (13,238,781)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               117,367,439             121,845,582
<SALES>                                     10,070,299              10,439,832
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           138,736,543             146,211,722
<CGS>                                        7,079,717               6,907,257
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              128,497,969             136,376,454
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          25,401,922              10,841,533
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (15,163,348)             (1,006,265)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   640,188                (55,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (15,803,536)               (951,265)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                939,055                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                              (16,742,591)               (951,265)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0


</TABLE>