<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FRANKLIN ELECTRONIC PUBLISHERS INCORPORATED
AND SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<CASH> 6,899
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 11,739
<ALLOWANCES> 850
<INVENTORY> 13,735
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 33,009
<PP&E> 20,577
<DEPRECIATION> 12,780
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 70,060
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 12,232
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 49,138
<OTHER-SE> 3,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 70,060
<SALES> 96,422
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 96,422
<CGS> 61,223
<TOTAL-COSTS> 61,223
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 739
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,086
<INCOME-PRETAX> 2,676
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,676
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 2,676
<EPS-BASIC> .34
<EPS-DILUTED> .34
</TABLE>