<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Imperial
Sugar company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 6,533
<SECURITIES> 4,612
<RECEIVABLES> 63,378
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 187,471
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 310,245
<PP&E> 596,774
<DEPRECIATION> 239,093
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,093,690
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 674,409
<BONDS> 20,000
0
0
<COMMON> 310,452
<OTHER-SE> 8,149
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,093,690
<SALES> 1,821,231
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,821,231
<CGS> 1,682,529
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,682,529
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 56,656
<INCOME-PRETAX> (47,650)
<INCOME-TAX> (12,973)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (34,677)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (34,677)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.07)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.07)
</TABLE>