<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 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>                          DEC-31-2000             JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-03-2000             JAN-04-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-02-2000             JUL-04-1999
<CASH>                                          68,710                  59,241
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   62,938                  41,543
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,606                   1,420
<INVENTORY>                                     39,296                  20,248
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               185,718                 134,493
<PP&E>                                          75,853                  31,743
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,334                   8,524
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 277,426                 178,331
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           60,325                  36,651
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       145,040                 106,166
<OTHER-SE>                                      71,517                  34,983
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   277,426                 178,331
<SALES>                                        214,312                 124,517
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               214,312                 124,517
<CGS>                                          145,901                  91,363
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  183,190                 115,368
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  11                     610
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,664                   9,849
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,950                   3,595
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,714                   6,254
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,714                   6,254
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .36                     .11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .34                     .11
<FN>
EPS for the period ending JUL-04-1999 has been restated to reflect a 3-for-1
stock split on May 15, 2000.
</FN>


</TABLE>