<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
LOEWEN GROUP INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
AND THE LOEWEN GROUP INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR 9 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-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 138,572
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 243,414
<ALLOWANCES> 48,473
<INVENTORY> 36,434
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 382,550
<PP&E> 1,025,542
<DEPRECIATION> 308,481
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,054,115
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 132,683
<BONDS> 49,832
0
157,144
<COMMON> 1,276,414
<OTHER-SE> (1,048,978)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,054,115
<SALES> 681,901
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 681,901
<CGS> 498,758
<TOTAL-COSTS> 498,758
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 125,590
<LOSS-PROVISION> 92,031
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,936
<INCOME-PRETAX> (44,414)
<INCOME-TAX> 12,102
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (56,516)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (56,516)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.85)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.85)
</TABLE>