<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM ELASTIC NETWORKS INC. UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN ITS
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001088242
<NAME> ELASTIC NETWORKS INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY>USD
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1.0
<CASH> 9,720
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 4,048
<ALLOWANCES> 367
<INVENTORY> 5,870
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 20,645
<PP&E> 3,889
<DEPRECIATION> 1,034
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 23,602
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 20,772
<BONDS> 0
0
30,994
<COMMON> 154
<OTHER-SE> (29,452)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 23,602
<SALES> 25,897
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 25,897
<CGS> 24,193
<TOTAL-COSTS> 24,193
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 23,982
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 73
<INCOME-PRETAX> (22,351)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (22,351)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (22,351)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.36)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.36)
</TABLE>