<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS AND BALANCE SHEETS OF POWERWAVE TECHNOLOGIES,
INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-29-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-29-1996             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                      32,386,331               5,860,785
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,324,699               3,103,990
<ALLOWANCES>                                   485,368                 122,532
<INVENTORY>                                  4,707,545               4,724,261
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            42,621,963              15,345,231
<PP&E>                                       5,211,764               1,800,078
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,011,132                 734,285
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              46,932,201              16,463,323
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        9,379,047               5,705,368
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0              14,498,193
<COMMON>                                    33,570,573                 471,380
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,272,750             (4,349,144)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                46,932,201              16,463,323
<SALES>                                     60,330,864              36,044,438
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            60,330,864              36,044,438
<CGS>                                       34,770,160              22,713,227
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               47,896,097              28,480,991
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             12,918,463               7,595,684
<INCOME-TAX>                                 5,296,569               3,115,648
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          7,621,894               4,480,036
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 7,621,894               4,480,036
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .54                     .32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52                     .31
        

</TABLE>