
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ZEBRA
TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF
OCTOBER 3, 1998, AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED OCTOBER 3, 1998, 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>                          JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-03-1998
<CASH>                                           7,140
<SECURITIES>                                   143,589
<RECEIVABLES>                                   43,637
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,746)
<INVENTORY>                                     20,136
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               217,366
<PP&E>                                          36,976
<DEPRECIATION>                                (18,605)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 240,025
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,760
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           243
<OTHER-SE>                                     213,361
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   240,025
<SALES>                                        143,068
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               162,922
<CGS>                                           70,513
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   77,314
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                39,485
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    24
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 467
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,471
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,518
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             32,953
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    32,953
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.35
        

</TABLE>
