<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
S.D. Warren Company's (the "Company") condensed consolidated statements of
operations for the quarter ended June 28, 2000 and Balance sheet as of June 28,
2000 on page 4 and 6 respectively, of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-27-2000
<PERIOD-START> MAR-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-28-2000
<CASH> 23,500
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 54,900
<ALLOWANCES> 2,300
<INVENTORY> 231,500
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 369,600
<PP&E> 1,385,400
<DEPRECIATION> 431,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,446,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 272,600
<BONDS> 462,500
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 321,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,446,800
<SALES> 1,128,700
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,128,700
<CGS> 887,600
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,003,900
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 45,700
<INCOME-PRETAX> 85,100
<INCOME-TAX> 33,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 51,300
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (10,600)
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 40,700
<EPS-BASIC> 0.51
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.41
</TABLE>