<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001076647
<NAME> RUSSELL-STANLEY HOLDINGS, INC.
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 1,450,000
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 30,848,000
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 21,879,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 63,491,000
<PP&E> 202,510,000
<DEPRECIATION> 113,286,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 262,727,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 28,821,000
<BONDS> 215,989,000
0
0
<COMMON> 23,000
<OTHER-SE> 15,566,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 262,727,000
<SALES> 211,086,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 211,086,000
<CGS> 172,763,000
<TOTAL-COSTS> 36,124,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 196,000
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 17,188,000
<INCOME-PRETAX> (15,185,000)
<INCOME-TAX> (4,557,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (10,628,000)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (10,628,000)
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>