To find the numerical equivalent of the expression \( 3 \cdot 9 \cdot 3 - 5 \), we follow the order of operations.
First, we calculate the multiplication:
\[ 3 \cdot 9 = 27 \]
Next, we multiply that result by 3:
\[ 27 \cdot 3 = 81 \]
Now, we subtract 5 from that result:
\[ 81 - 5 = 76 \]
Therefore, the numerical equivalent of \( 3 \cdot 9 \cdot 3 - 5 \) is
\[ \boxed{76} \]