<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF TELEGEN CORPORATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND
1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1999 AND 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999 DEC-31-1998
<CASH> 355,192 14
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 355,192 14
<PP&E> 1,106,669 1,106,669
<DEPRECIATION> 832,491 672,772
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 632,370 433,911
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,972,448 3,675,215
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 23,450,796 23,385,796
<OTHER-SE> (23,657,234) (22,493,460)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 632,370 433,911
<SALES> 0 57,900
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 0 57,900
<CGS> 0 264,578
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0 264,578
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,168,962 3,333,676
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 1,115,493
<INCOME-PRETAX> (1,162,974) (4,991,572)
<INCOME-TAX> 800 800
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,163,774) (4,992,372)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (1,163,774) (4,992,372)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.23) (6.93)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.23) (6.93)
</TABLE>