<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AEP
INDUSTRIES INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APR-30-2000 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-2000
<CASH> 3,673
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 110,528
<ALLOWANCES> 5,333
<INVENTORY> 79,443
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 204,811
<PP&E> 350,674
<DEPRECIATION> 135,872
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 498,991
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 164,289
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 101
<OTHER-SE> 58,120
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 498,991
<SALES> 347,985
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 350,262
<CGS> 286,155
<TOTAL-COSTS> 286,155
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 49,929
<LOSS-PROVISION> 906
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 15,987
<INCOME-PRETAX> (2,715)
<INCOME-TAX> (1,113)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,602)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (1,602)
<EPS-BASIC> (.21)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.21)
</TABLE>