<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF POLYVISION CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-2000 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 2,249 0
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 39,624 0
<ALLOWANCES> 1,884 0
<INVENTORY> 19,270 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 69,842 0
<PP&E> 22,774 0
<DEPRECIATION> 4,568 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 179,177 0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 43,300 0
<BONDS> 95,362 0
0 0
25,750 0
<COMMON> 14 0
<OTHER-SE> 6,907 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 179,177 0
<SALES> 47,029 119,182
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 47,029 119,182
<CGS> 31,599 78,698
<TOTAL-COSTS> 31,599 78,698
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 8,057 23,562
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,011 8,906
<INCOME-PRETAX> 4,369 8,357
<INCOME-TAX> 1,378 2,675
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,991 5,682
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 2,991 5,682
<EPS-BASIC> 0.21 0.40
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.11 0.21
</TABLE>