
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000874389
<NAME> APPLIED EXTRUSION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           5,323
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   38,411
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,554
<INVENTORY>                                     38,611
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                87,313
<PP&E>                                         342,276
<DEPRECIATION>                                  64,158
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 375,050
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           55,568
<BONDS>                                        182,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           116
<OTHER-SE>                                     101,442
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   375,050
<SALES>                                        237,042
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               237,042
<CGS>                                          188,601
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  188,601
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                36,097
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,217
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,909
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,782)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,113)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,669)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,669)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.41)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.41)


</TABLE>
