<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HUDSON
RESPIRATORY CARE AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 0 2,771
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0 35,909
<ALLOWANCES> 0 (1,071)
<INVENTORY> 0 30,892
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 71,792
<PP&E> 0 45,604
<DEPRECIATION> 0 (58,723)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0 261,346
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 (32,651)
<BONDS> 0 (115,000)
0 (37,539)
0 0
<COMMON> 0 (92,158)
<OTHER-SE> 0 555
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 0 (261,346)
<SALES> (31,811) (72,618)
<TOTAL-REVENUES> (31,811) (72,618)
<CGS> 14,825 37,328
<TOTAL-COSTS> 12,242 22,394
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 546 605
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,584 9,862
<INCOME-PRETAX> 386 (2,429)
<INCOME-TAX> (1) 1,215
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 385 1,214
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 385 1,214
<EPS-BASIC> 0 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0 0
</TABLE>