<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000724969
<NAME> MINNTECH CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2001
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 12,899
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 13,203
<ALLOWANCES> 446
<INVENTORY> 11,157
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 39,036
<PP&E> 39,300
<DEPRECIATION> 23,041
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 59,780
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,422
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 334
<OTHER-SE> 52,120
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 59,780
<SALES> 35,081
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 35,081
<CGS> 22,585
<TOTAL-COSTS> 33,802
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 30
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,866
<INCOME-TAX> 597
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,269
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,269
<EPS-BASIC> .19
<EPS-DILUTED> .19
</TABLE>