<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CASCADE
CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-2001
<PERIOD-START> FEB-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-2000
<CASH> 12,125
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 62,815
<ALLOWANCES> 1,843
<INVENTORY> 37,226
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 116,483
<PP&E> 178,172
<DEPRECIATION> 101,565
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 282,341
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 56,288
<BONDS> 88,210
11,374
0
<COMMON> 5,784
<OTHER-SE> 105,912
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 282,341
<SALES> 254,936
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 254,936
<CGS> 163,239
<TOTAL-COSTS> 230,286
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,304
<LOSS-PROVISION> 332
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,120
<INCOME-PRETAX> 18,220
<INCOME-TAX> 7,653
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 10,567
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 10,567
<EPS-BASIC> .90
<EPS-DILUTED> .86
</TABLE>