<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 JUNE 30, 2000
AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHs ENDED JUNE 30,
2000. EXCEPT FOR THE DATES AND EPS NUMBERS, ALL OTHER AMOUNTS ARE IN THOUSANDS
OF DOLLARS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 4,821
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 32,358
<ALLOWANCES> 273
<INVENTORY> 19,820
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 59,211
<PP&E> 118,457
<DEPRECIATION> 23,014
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 195,861
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 22,718
<BONDS> 120,000
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 22,599
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 195,861
<SALES> 46,578
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 46,578
<CGS> 34,951
<TOTAL-COSTS> 40,863
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 167
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,813
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,735
<INCOME-TAX> 547
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,188
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,188
<EPS-BASIC> 8,735.29
<EPS-DILUTED> 8,735.29
</TABLE>