<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NATION GOLF
PROPERTIES, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 2,393
<SECURITIES> 200
<RECEIVABLES> 28,874
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 9,927
<PP&E> 890,194
<DEPRECIATION> 177,899
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 776,661
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 28,936
<BONDS> 455,019
0
0
<COMMON> 134
<OTHER-SE> 118,852
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 776,661
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 86,757
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 34,484
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 30,127
<INCOME-PRETAX> 23,984
<INCOME-TAX> 27
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 23,957
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 10,075
<EPS-BASIC> .79
<EPS-DILUTED> .77
</TABLE>