<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND BALANCE SHEETS OF POWERWAVE TECHNOLOGIES,
INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-03-2000 JAN-04-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUL-02-2000 JUL-04-1999
<CASH> 68,710 59,241
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 62,938 41,543
<ALLOWANCES> 3,606 1,420
<INVENTORY> 39,296 20,248
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 185,718 134,493
<PP&E> 75,853 31,743
<DEPRECIATION> 18,334 8,524
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 277,426 178,331
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 60,325 36,651
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 145,040 106,166
<OTHER-SE> 71,517 34,983
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 277,426 178,331
<SALES> 214,312 124,517
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 214,312 124,517
<CGS> 145,901 91,363
<TOTAL-COSTS> 183,190 115,368
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11 610
<INCOME-PRETAX> 33,664 9,849
<INCOME-TAX> 11,950 3,595
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 21,714 6,254
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 21,714 6,254
<EPS-BASIC> .36 .11
<EPS-DILUTED> .34 .11
<FN>
EPS for the period ending JUL-04-1999 has been restated to reflect a 3-for-1
stock split on May 15, 2000.
</FN>
</TABLE>