<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NUTRACEUTICAL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AS
OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 1,773
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 10,807
<ALLOWANCES> 1,256
<INVENTORY> 24,083
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 37,545
<PP&E> 31,043
<DEPRECIATION> 14,104
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 108,329
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 9,831
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 118
<OTHER-SE> 57,826
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 108,329
<SALES> 106,813
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 106,813
<CGS> 55,658
<TOTAL-COSTS> 55,658
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 38,913
<LOSS-PROVISION> 129
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,060
<INCOME-PRETAX> 9,182
<INCOME-TAX> 3,581
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,601
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 5,601
<EPS-BASIC> 0.49
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.46
</TABLE>