<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF DICTAPHONE CORPORATION AT MARCH 31,
2000 AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE 3 MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 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> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<CASH> 5,002
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 102,093
<ALLOWANCES> 1,851
<INVENTORY> 39,470
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 151,035
<PP&E> 80,872
<DEPRECIATION> 41,984
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 448,529
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 93,248
<BONDS> 363,965
51,379
0
<COMMON> 130
<OTHER-SE> (82,569)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 448,529
<SALES> 53,399
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 81,258
<CGS> 54,190
<TOTAL-COSTS> 84,324
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,494
<INCOME-PRETAX> (13,350)
<INCOME-TAX> (5)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (13,355)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (13,355)
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>