<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ADVO, INC'S
FORM 10Q FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 24, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> SEP-26-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-24-2000
<CASH> 7,077
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 118,207
<ALLOWANCES> 5,240
<INVENTORY> 2,762
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 150,091
<PP&E> 223,911
<DEPRECIATION> 120,461
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 278,604
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 129,826
<BONDS> 185,000
0
0
<COMMON> 297
<OTHER-SE> (43,974)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 278,604
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 832,392
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 593,094
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 6,591
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 13,515
<INCOME-PRETAX> 55,648
<INCOME-TAX> 20,590
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 35,058
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 35,058
<EPS-BASIC> $1.72<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED> $1.69<F2>
<FN>
<F1>THE EPS PRIMARY TAG REPRESENTS BASIC EPS UNDER SFAS 128.
<F2>THE EPS DILUTED TAG REPRESENTS DILUTED EPS UNDER SFAS 128.
</FN>
</TABLE>