<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF GEO SPECIALTY CHEMICALS, INC. AS OF SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000. EXCEPT FOR THE DATES AND EPS NUMBERS, ALL OTHER AMOUNTS ARE
IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
<CAPTION>
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> $ 6,218
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 36,823
<ALLOWANCES> 336
<INVENTORY> 17,125
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 62,614
<PP&E> 119,897
<DEPRECIATION> 25,495
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 196,944
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 22,098
<BONDS> 120,000
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 25,570
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 196,944
<SALES> 53,867
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 53,867
<CGS> 36,475
<TOTAL-COSTS> 43,226
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 301
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,840
<INCOME-PRETAX> 7,102
<INCOME-TAX> 2,863
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,239
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 4,239
<EPS-BASIC> 31,169.12
<EPS-DILUTED> 31,169.12
</TABLE>
