<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
BLUE RHINO CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF JULY 31, 1999 (AUDITED)
AND JULY 31, 1998 (AUDITED) AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE
FISCAL YEARS ENDED JULY 31, 1999 (AUDITED) AND JULY 31, 1998 (AUDITED) AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                     YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JUL-31-1999              JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            AUG-01-1998              AUG-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              JUL-31-1999              JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                            913                    5,908
<SECURITIES>                                        0                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  13,166                    8,035
<ALLOWANCES>                                      430                      134
<INVENTORY>                                       106                        0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               15,892                   14,836
<PP&E>                                         20,680                   10,750
<DEPRECIATION>                                  4,034                    2,245
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 59,899                   30,470
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           8,450                    5,394
<BONDS>                                        24,111                      260
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                        0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                        0
<COMMON>                                            8                        8
<OTHER-SE>                                     27,330                   24,808
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   59,899                   30,470
<SALES>                                        51,704                   27,372
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               53,820                   27,938
<CGS>                                          38,661                   20,525
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  38,661                   20,525
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               11,962                    8,092
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  607                      324
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                837                    1,707
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 2,097                  (2,476)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       30                        0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             2,067                  (2,476)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                        0
<CHANGES>                                           0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                    2,067                  (2,476)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      0.27                   (1.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.27                   (1.04)


</TABLE>