<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> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 49,042
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 20,391
<ALLOWANCES> 608
<INVENTORY> 9,676
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 81,552
<PP&E> 14,912
<DEPRECIATION> 8,517
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 174,121
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 21,338
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 321,338
<OTHER-SE> 170,596
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 174,121
<SALES> 35,833
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 35,833
<CGS> 25,924
<TOTAL-COSTS> 25,924
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 42,961
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 463
<INCOME-PRETAX> 31,618
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 31,618
<EPS-BASIC> 1.41
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.41
</TABLE>