<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2000 AND THE RELATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE 13 AND 39 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 23,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000895364
<NAME> DUANE READE, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-2000 DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-23-2000 SEP-23-2000
<CASH> 1,170 1,170
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 45,460 45,460
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 173,188 173,188
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 238,567 238,567
<PP&E> 137,888 137,888
<DEPRECIATION> (37,745) (37,745)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 556,975 556,975
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 84,917 84,917
<BONDS> 342,200 342,200
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 181 181
<OTHER-SE> 100,520 100,520
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 556,975 556,975
<SALES> 242,978 712,803
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 242,978 712,803
<CGS> 178,291 533,039
<TOTAL-COSTS> 178,291 533,039
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 44,721 131,011
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,011 26,045
<INCOME-PRETAX> 10,955 22,708
<INCOME-TAX> 4,729 9,583
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,226 13,125
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 6,226 13,125
<EPS-BASIC> 0.35 0.75
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.34 0.72
</TABLE>