<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF DICTAPHONE CORPORATION AT JUNE 30, 2000
AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 2,747
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 82,464
<ALLOWANCES> 2,148
<INVENTORY> 18,533
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 141,028
<PP&E> 66,092
<DEPRECIATION> 32,607
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,018,177
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 104,728
<BONDS> 389,500
0
0
<COMMON> 1
<OTHER-SE> 508,165
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,018,177
<SALES> 17,421
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 29,607
<CGS> 17,414
<TOTAL-COSTS> 53,631
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,573
<INCOME-PRETAX> (31,446)
<INCOME-TAX> 227
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (31,219)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (31,219)
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>