<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF ATLAS-ENERGY FOR THE NINETIES PUBLIC #8 L FINANCIAL DATA
STATEMENT FOR 1ST QUARTER 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 6,678 6,678
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 567,859 567,859
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 574,537 574,537
<PP&E> 12,573,810 12,573,810
<DEPRECIATION> (426,284) (426,284)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 12,722,063 12,722,063
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 28,869 28,869
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 0 0
<OTHER-SE> 12,693,194 12,693,194
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 12,722,063 12,722,063
<SALES> 701,248 859,984
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 721,242 879,978
<CGS> 70,826 90,668
<TOTAL-COSTS> 70,826 90,668
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 432,253 533,820
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 218,163 255,490
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 218,163 255,490
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 218,163 255,490
<EPS-BASIC> 0 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0 0
</TABLE>