<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF MERIDIAN NATIONAL CORPORATION AS OF FEBRUARY 29,
2000 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR THEN
ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-29-2000
<PERIOD-START> MAR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> FEB-29-2000
<CASH> 3,350
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 8,032,915
<ALLOWANCES> 477,600
<INVENTORY> 4,287,544
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 13,243,456
<PP&E> 7,112,199
<DEPRECIATION> 3,849,994
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 16,571,343
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 14,220,296
<BONDS> 12,269,998
0
1,175,320
<COMMON> 79,176
<OTHER-SE> (9,211,259)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 16,571,343
<SALES> 42,562,854
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 42,562,854
<CGS> 37,335,271
<TOTAL-COSTS> 37,335,271
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (165,114)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,397,347
<INCOME-PRETAX> (1,059,205)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,059,205)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (1,059,205)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.20)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.20)
</TABLE>