<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> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2001
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-01-2000
<CASH> 9,635
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 15,308
<ALLOWANCES> 438
<INVENTORY> 13,044
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 41,694
<PP&E> 38,034
<DEPRECIATION> (22,365)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 61,880
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 8,777
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 334
<OTHER-SE> 51,882
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 61,880
<SALES> 17,033
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 17,033
<CGS> 10,992
<TOTAL-COSTS> 17,116
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 14,030
<INCOME-PRETAX> (31)
<INCOME-TAX> (10)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (21)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (21)
<EPS-BASIC> .00
<EPS-DILUTED> .00
</TABLE>