<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM RADNOR
HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-29-2000
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-29-2000
<CASH> 3,198
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 45,030
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 43,730
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 103,296
<PP&E> 230,330
<DEPRECIATION> 43,279
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 311,561
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 79,419
<BONDS> 222,703
0
0
<COMMON> 1
<OTHER-SE> 506
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 311,561
<SALES> 97,296
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 97,296
<CGS> 73,380
<TOTAL-COSTS> 73,380
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,688
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,980
<INCOME-TAX> 753
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,227
<DISCONTINUED> (99)
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,128
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>