<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE THIRD
QUARTER 2000 FORM 10-Q OF WEST TELESERVICES CORPORATION, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED THEREIN.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 96,243
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 130,988
<ALLOWANCES> 5,355
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 251,414
<PP&E> 325,726
<DEPRECIATION> 138,697
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 508,605
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 106,359
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 644
<OTHER-SE> 355,099
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 508,605
<SALES> 189,513
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 189,513
<CGS> 98,593
<TOTAL-COSTS> 160,836
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,047
<INCOME-PRETAX> 29,060
<INCOME-TAX> 10,704
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,356
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 18,356
<EPS-BASIC> 0.29
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.27
</TABLE>