<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 September 30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                         111,000                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,292,000                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                   205,000                       0
<INVENTORY>                                  3,362,000                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             5,781,000                       0
<PP&E>                                       2,421,000                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                 663,000                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,061,000                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,124,000                       0
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                     2,027,000                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,556,000                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 9,061,000                       0
<SALES>                                     13,380,000              12,409,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            13,380,000              12,409,000
<CGS>                                        8,085,000               6,998,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,557,000               5,517,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                (153,000)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             153,000                 101,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             (2,415,000)                (54,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (2,415,000)                (54,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                (2,415,000)                (54,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.19)                  (0.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
        

</TABLE>