<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 7-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-31-2000
<CASH> 50,272
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 60,842<F1>
<ALLOWANCES> 815
<INVENTORY> 19,504
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 149,356<F2>
<PP&E> 598,352<F3>
<DEPRECIATION> 202,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 623,660
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 47,851
<BONDS> 223,396<F4>
0
0
<COMMON> 295
<OTHER-SE> 284,729<F5>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 623,660
<SALES> 234,540
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 234,540
<CGS> 158,065
<TOTAL-COSTS> 158,065<F6>
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 23,000<F7>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0<F8>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,588
<INCOME-PRETAX> 2,187
<INCOME-TAX> 800
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,387
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,387
<EPS-BASIC> 0.05
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.05
<FN>
<F1>Gross trade receivables
<F2>Total current assets
<F3>Gross PP&E
<F4>Long-term debt
<F5>Total equity less common stock
<F6>For Photronics, this amount is COS
<F7>Operating expenses exclusive of COS, SG&A and R&D
<F8>Bad debt expense
</FN>
</TABLE>