<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> BD
<CIK> 0000867247
<NAME> ML SECTOR STRATEGY FUND II LP
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 JUN-30-1999
<CASH> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 24,076,863 31,355,819
<SECURITIES-RESALE> 0 0
<SECURITIES-BORROWED> 0 0
<INSTRUMENTS-OWNED> 0 0
<PP&E> 0 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 24,076,863 31,355,819
<SHORT-TERM> 0 0
<PAYABLES> 423,060 313,883
<REPOS-SOLD> 0 0
<SECURITIES-LOANED> 0 0
<INSTRUMENTS-SOLD> 0 0
<LONG-TERM> 0 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 0 0
<OTHER-SE> 23,653,803 31,041,936
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 24,076,863 31,355,819
<TRADING-REVENUE> 0 0
<INTEREST-DIVIDENDS> 0 0
<COMMISSIONS> 0 0
<INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES> (468,823) 37,670
<FEE-REVENUE> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 0
<COMPENSATION> 0 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> (468,823) 37,670
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> (468,823) 37,670
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (468,823) 37,760
<EPS-BASIC> (2.91) 0.19
<EPS-DILUTED> (2.91) 0.19
</TABLE>