<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>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-03-2000             JAN-04-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-02-2000             APR-04-1999
<CASH>                                          83,795                  54,008
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   59,884                  29,979
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,931                   1,270
<INVENTORY>                                     31,521                  30,581
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               186,886                 119,434
<PP&E>                                          48,742                  27,889
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,330                   7,116
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 241,656                 172,633
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           46,407                  38,396
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       135,251                 115,177
<OTHER-SE>                                      59,320                  18,550
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   241,656                 172,633
<SALES>                                        103,854                  56,024
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               103,854                  56,024
<CGS>                                           71,397                  41,010
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   89,055                  52,574
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   3                     583
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,009                   3,231
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,683                   1,179
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,326                   2,052
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,326                   2,052
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.51                    0.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.48                    0.11


</TABLE>