<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NEW CENTURY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR
THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 2,362,000
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 428,380,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 8,987,000
<DEPRECIATION> 5,828,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 898,405,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 22,743,000
<BONDS> 664,654,000
0
0
<COMMON> 148,000
<OTHER-SE> 178,352,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 898,405,000
<SALES> 20,265,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 57,190,000
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 30,322,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18,562,000
<INCOME-PRETAX> 8,306,000
<INCOME-TAX> 3,569,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,737,000
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 4,737,000
<EPS-BASIC> 0.08
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.08
</TABLE>