<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND BALANCE SHEETS OF POWERWAVE
TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-2000             JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-1999             DEC-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-04-1999             JUN-28-1998
<CASH>                                          59,241                  53,133
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   41,543                  14,356
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,420                     869
<INVENTORY>                                     20,248                   8,556
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               134,493                  80,459
<PP&E>                                          31,743                  13,567
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,524                   3,856
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 178,331                  93,390
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           36,651                  15,295
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       106,166                  66,032
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,983                  11,025
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   178,331                  93,390
<SALES>                                        124,517                  43,749
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               124,517                  43,749
<CGS>                                           91,363                  26,362
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  115,368                  38,904
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 610                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,849                   6,435
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,595                   2,349
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,254                   4,086
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,254                   4,086
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .32                     .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31                     .24



</TABLE>