<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNIVERSAL CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDED JUNE 30, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 61,395
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 358,897
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 562,692
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,088,150
<PP&E> 778,270
<DEPRECIATION> 430,925
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,748,104
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 883,234
<BONDS> 223,262
0
0
<COMMON> 66,274
<OTHER-SE> 431,505
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,748,104
<SALES> 3,401,969
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,401,969
<CGS> 2,803,957
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,803,957
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 56,869
<INCOME-PRETAX> 189,587
<INCOME-TAX> 68,221
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 113,805
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 113,805
<EPS-BASIC> 3.77
<EPS-DILUTED> 3.77
</TABLE>