<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THE QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 6-K OF GALILEO TECHNOLOGY
LTD. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 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-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 71,483
<SECURITIES> 39,946
<RECEIVABLES> 12,816
<ALLOWANCES> 217
<INVENTORY> 12,875
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 140,141
<PP&E> 25,787
<DEPRECIATION> 9,551
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 167,467
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 25,246
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 78,010
<OTHER-SE> 61,908
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 167,467
<SALES> 73,256
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 73,256
<CGS> 30,308
<TOTAL-COSTS> 30,308
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 18,995
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 15,159
<INCOME-TAX> 758
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 14,401
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 14,401
<EPS-BASIC> 0.34
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.32
</TABLE>