<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Financial Data Schedule of Community Distributors, Inc.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000774492
<NAME> COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-28-2001
<PERIOD-START> JUL-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-28-2000
<CASH> 533
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 7,617
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 47,528
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 58,473
<PP&E> 26,404
<DEPRECIATION> 12,928
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 106,109
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 40,051
<BONDS> 74,000
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> (17,164)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 106,109
<SALES> 70,789
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 70,789
<CGS> 53,850
<TOTAL-COSTS> 18,310
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (460)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,136
<INCOME-PRETAX> (3,047)
<INCOME-TAX> (1,162)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,885)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (1,885)
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>