
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF AXSYS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999
AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                             385
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,040
<ALLOWANCES>                                       503
<INVENTORY>                                     25,866
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                48,009
<PP&E>                                          21,742
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,793
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  64,150
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,614
<BONDS>                                          1,793
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            41
<OTHER-SE>                                      43,660
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    64,150
<SALES>                                         85,418
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                85,418
<CGS>                                           64,413
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   64,413
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                30,355
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   331
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 376
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (10,057)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (854)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,203)
<DISCONTINUED>                                   2,081
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,122
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.76)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.76)


</TABLE>
