<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001058560
<NAME> EVEREST HEALTHCARE SERVICES CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 4,222
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 64,309
<ALLOWANCES> (9,869)
<INVENTORY> 4,493
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 71,756
<PP&E> 72,169
<DEPRECIATION> (33,848)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 212,931
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 41,220
<BONDS> 100,000
0
0
<COMMON> 13
<OTHER-SE> 43,028
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 212,931
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 233,563
<CGS> 214,153
<TOTAL-COSTS> 214,153
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 14,299
<INCOME-PRETAX> 5,684
<INCOME-TAX> (3,291)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 2,393
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>