<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM METAWAVE
COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION'S SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 2000 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 61,356
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 15,050
<ALLOWANCES> (908)
<INVENTORY> 6,566
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 83,011
<PP&E> 13,674
<DEPRECIATION> (7,782)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 89,088
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 14,018
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 209,541
<OTHER-SE> (137,161)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 89,088
<SALES> 20,694
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 20,694
<CGS> 15,193
<TOTAL-COSTS> 15,193
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 20,508
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (285)
<INCOME-PRETAX> (14,281)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (14,281)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.43)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.43)
</TABLE>