<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF DICTAPHONE CORPORATION AT DECEMBER 31,
1999 AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE 12 MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999
<CASH> 6,190
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 102,635
<ALLOWANCES> 1,801
<INVENTORY> 49,759
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 162,935
<PP&E> 77,884
<DEPRECIATION> 40,395
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 461,138
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 102,538
<BONDS> 353,443
49,730
0
<COMMON> 130
<OTHER-SE> (67,462)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 461,138
<SALES> 258,061
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 353,734
<CGS> 189,195
<TOTAL-COSTS> 321,633
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 40,062
<INCOME-PRETAX> (7,906)
<INCOME-TAX> (1,037)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (8,943)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (8,943)
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>