<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<RESTATED>
<CIK> 0000793024
<NAME> KENT ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-28-1998 APR-03-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-28-1998 APR-03-1999
<CASH> 179,907 207,942
<SECURITIES> 29,946 0
<RECEIVABLES> 61,571 73,947
<ALLOWANCES> 1,207 991
<INVENTORY> 76,947 80,052
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 491,339 510,046
<PP&E> 75,577 78,954
<DEPRECIATION> 19,589 23,744
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 574,905 587,215
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 53,544 50,535
<BONDS> 207,000 207,000
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 54,480 62,576
<OTHER-SE> 258,089 258,593
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 574,905 587,215
<SALES> 418,301 455,694
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 418,301 455,694
<CGS> 317,577 356,237
<TOTAL-COSTS> 317,577 356,237
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> (50) (216)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,272 10,495
<INCOME-PRETAX> 24,102 9,849
<INCOME-TAX> 9,648 3,984
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 14,454 5,865
<DISCONTINUED> 20,972 (5,683)
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 35,426 182
<EPS-BASIC> 1.33 0.01
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.26 0.01
</TABLE>