<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CHESAPEAKE
BIOLOGICAL LAB AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000799485
<NAME> CHESAPEAKE BIOLOGICAL LABS
<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> 192
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 3,156
<ALLOWANCES> 55
<INVENTORY> 1,464
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 5,661
<PP&E> 13,899
<DEPRECIATION> 3,617
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 17,144
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,297
<BONDS> 6,503
0
0
<COMMON> 59
<OTHER-SE> 7,173
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 17,114
<SALES> 8,090
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 8,090
<CGS> 5,691
<TOTAL-COSTS> 6,815
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 305
<INCOME-PRETAX> 993
<INCOME-TAX> 407
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 586
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 586
<EPS-BASIC> .100
<EPS-DILUTED> .080
</TABLE>