<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE GATEWAY
ENERGY CORPORATION FORM 10-QSB FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 78,506
<SECURITIES> 691,387
<RECEIVABLES> 1,659,035
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 70,040
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,689,895
<PP&E> 9,503,827
<DEPRECIATION> 3,167,638
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 9,670,896
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,894,254
<BONDS> 608,440
0
0
<COMMON> 3,828,030
<OTHER-SE> 3,340,172
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 9,670,896
<SALES> 6,560,912
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 6,947,412
<CGS> 4,989,940
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,611,462<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 101,182
<INCOME-PRETAX> (755,172)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (755,172)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (755,172)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.05)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.05)
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES $642,560 OF NON-CASH EXPENSES.
</FN>
</TABLE>