<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SBM
INDUSTRIES, INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD
ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999             MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                               0                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,493,000                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                   108,000                       0
<INVENTORY>                                  3,247,000                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             5,239,000                       0
<PP&E>                                       2,513,000                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                 961,000                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,458,000                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,168,000                       0
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                     2,026,000                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     961,000                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,458,000                       0
<SALES>                                      2,863,000               3,098,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,863,000               3,098,000
<CGS>                                        1,427,000               1,726,000 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,424,000               1,508,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              56,000                  48,000 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (44,000)               (184,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (44,000)               (184,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (44,000)               (184,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.02)                   (.09)
        

</TABLE>