<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 OF GROVE
HOLDINGS LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> OCT-03-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 16,102
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 143,263
<ALLOWANCES> 5,057
<INVENTORY> 175,181
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 344,601
<PP&E> 208,128
<DEPRECIATION> 39,432
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 727,805
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 216,811
<BONDS> 290,890
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> (75,920)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 727,805
<SALES> 850,562
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 850,562
<CGS> 725,680
<TOTAL-COSTS> 176,818
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,036
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 50,897
<INCOME-PRETAX> (103,869)
<INCOME-TAX> 6,255
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (110,124)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 302
<NET-INCOME> (109,822)
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>