<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF KEY3MEDIA GROUP,
INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 SEP-30-1999
<CASH> 123,539 11,622
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 67,512 75,922
<ALLOWANCES> 1,892 1,302
<INVENTORY> 94 165
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 206,641 108,067
<PP&E> 34,277 29,538
<DEPRECIATION> 23,687 19,318
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,077,337 1,002,051
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 201,467 166,530
<BONDS> 367,728 382,002
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 650 0
<OTHER-SE> 414,664 393,457
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,077,337 1,002,051
<SALES> 175,594 155,161
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 175,594 155,161
<CGS> 154,684 136,871
<TOTAL-COSTS> 154,684 136,871
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (1429) (15,711)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,119 323
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 23,518 17,430
<INCOME-PRETAX> (1,179) 16,571
<INCOME-TAX> (469) 6,572
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (710) 9,999
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (710) 9,999
<EPS-BASIC> (0.01) 0.19
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.01) 0.19
</TABLE>