<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE HANOVER COMPRESSOR COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 13,746
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 129,343
<ALLOWANCES> 1,350
<INVENTORY> 101,252
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 297,876
<PP&E> 620,998
<DEPRECIATION> 96,672
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 961,944
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 98,835
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 392,037
<OTHER-SE> 122,326
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 961,944
<SALES> 30,172
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 114,177
<CGS> 24,418
<TOTAL-COSTS> 91,497
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 00
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,005
<INCOME-PRETAX> 20,083
<INCOME-TAX> 7,310
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,773
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 12,773
<EPS-BASIC> 0.21
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.20
</TABLE>