<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000919226
<NAME> SMURFIT-STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 53
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 831
<ALLOWANCES> 53
<INVENTORY> 800
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,880
<PP&E> 6,728
<DEPRECIATION> 1,134
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 11,440
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,306
<BONDS> 5,660
2
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 2,325
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 11,440
<SALES> 3,896
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,896
<CGS> 3,094
<TOTAL-COSTS> 3,094
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 405
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 250
<INCOME-PRETAX> 154
<INCOME-TAX> 79
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 71
<DISCONTINUED> 6
<EXTRAORDINARY> 1
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 78
<EPS-BASIC> .35
<EPS-DILUTED> .35
</TABLE>