<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ADVANCE
PARADIGM, INC. FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2001
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 66,452
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 223,060
<ALLOWANCES> 1,260
<INVENTORY> 4,781
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 297,047
<PP&E> 61,712
<DEPRECIATION> 18,948
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 447,144
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 282,604
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 251
<OTHER-SE> 107,503
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 447,144
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,230,795
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,187,563
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 21,696
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,426
<INCOME-PRETAX> 20,110
<INCOME-TAX> 7,824
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,286
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 12,286
<EPS-BASIC> .49
<EPS-DILUTED> .44
</TABLE>