
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000874389
<NAME> APPLIED EXTRUSION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           6,570
<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<INVENTORY>                                     36,180
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                90,163
<PP&E>                                         342,340
<DEPRECIATION>                                  64,144
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 375,793
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           52,713
<BONDS>                                        199,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           115
<OTHER-SE>                                      96,838
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   375,793
<SALES>                                         58,979
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                58,979
<CGS>                                           47,327
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   47,327
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,042
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   180
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,869
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,439)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (576)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (863)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (863)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.08)
        

</TABLE>
