<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UTILX CORPORATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999             MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1998             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           1,216                   1,216
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,042                  15,042
<ALLOWANCES>                                       471                     471
<INVENTORY>                                      8,550                   8,550
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                24,948                  24,948
<PP&E>                                          38,709                  38,709
<DEPRECIATION>                                  25,252                  25,252
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  38,819                  38,819
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,642                  12,642
<BONDS>                                          3,126                   3,126
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            74                      74
<OTHER-SE>                                      22,977                  22,977
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    38,819                  38,819
<SALES>                                         18,885                  40,908
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                18,885                  40,908
<CGS>                                           18,453                  37,899
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   20,668                  42,533
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (36)                    (80)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 164                     342
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,911)                 (1,887)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       (9)                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,902)                 (1,887)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,902)                 (1,887)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.26)                  (0.25)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.26)                  (0.25)
        

</TABLE>