<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, 1998 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-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                               0                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,593,000                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                   175,000                       0
<INVENTORY>                                  3,351,000                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             5,189,000                       0
<PP&E>                                       2,336,000                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                 854,000                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,387,000                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,640,000                       0
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                     2,026,000                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     958,000                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,387,000                       0
<SALES>                                      9,393,000              10,145,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             9,393,000              10,145,000
<CGS>                                        4,100,000               6,255,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,355,000               4,004,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             153,000                 150,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (408,000)               (264,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (408,000)               (264,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (408,000)               (264,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.20)                   (.13)
        

</TABLE>