<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 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> 9-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-03-2000 JAN-04-1999
<PERIOD-END> OCT-01-2000 OCT-03-1999
<CASH> 124,654 71,948
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 72,733 44,103
<ALLOWANCES> 3,511 2,683
<INVENTORY> 43,183 22,668
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 251,677 151,317
<PP&E> 86,881 36,785
<DEPRECIATION> 22,475 10,167
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 349,207 198,411
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 54,110 45,842
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 211,272 111,408
<OTHER-SE> 82,846 40,602
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 349,207 198,411
<SALES> 326,190 201,417
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 326,190 201,417
<CGS> 221,238 146,060
<TOTAL-COSTS> 278,639 184,460
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 27 635
<INCOME-PRETAX> 51,623 18,561
<INCOME-TAX> 18,326 6,688
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 33,297 11,873
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 33,297 11,873
<EPS-BASIC> .55 .20<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED> .52 .20<F1>
<FN>
<F1> EPS for the period ending Oct-03-1999 has been restated to reflect a
3-for-1 stock split on May 15, 2000.
</FN>
</TABLE>