<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
STOLT-NIELSEN S.A. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 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> NOV-30-1999
<PERIOD-START> DEC-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1999
<CASH> 20,372
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 317,032
<ALLOWANCES> 10,713
<INVENTORY> 141,061
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 585,629
<PP&E> 3,104,921
<DEPRECIATION> 988,501
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,058,388
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 474,281
<BONDS> 1,116,749
0
0
<COMMON> 31,280
<OTHER-SE> 1,110,346
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,058,388
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,780,937
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,510,287
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 71,467
<INCOME-PRETAX> 47,389
<INCOME-TAX> 481
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 46,908
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 46,908
<EPS-BASIC> 0.86
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.86
</TABLE>