<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALBANY
INTERNATIONAL CORP'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 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> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 3,741
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 227,312
<ALLOWANCES> 8,116
<INVENTORY> 233,264
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 489,112
<PP&E> 737,026
<DEPRECIATION> 351,159
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,097,350
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 162,743
<BONDS> 474,820
0
0
<COMMON> 33
<OTHER-SE> 302,717
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,097,350
<SALES> 629,822
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 629,822
<CGS> 377,817
<TOTAL-COSTS> 551,144
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 923
<LOSS-PROVISION> (652)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 31,374
<INCOME-PRETAX> 47,033
<INCOME-TAX> 18,813
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 28,754
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 28,754
<EPS-BASIC> 0.94
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.94
</TABLE>