<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, 1997 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-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           66000                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  1898000                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                    175000                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    2712000                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               4866000                       0
<PP&E>                                         2323000                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                  791000                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 7263000                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          2710000                       0
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       2026000                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     1577000                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   7263000                       0
<SALES>                                       10145000                11714000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              10145000                11714000
<CGS>                                          6255000                 7116000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  4004000                 4372000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              151000                  138000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (264000)                  102000
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (264000)                  102000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0               (2517000)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (264000)               (2415000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.13)                  (1.19)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0 
        

</TABLE>