<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NOVASTAR
FINANCIAL'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS AND THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 2,551 2,551
<SECURITIES> 21,000 21,000
<RECEIVABLES> 493,001 493,001
<ALLOWANCES> 8,993 8,993
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 0
<PP&E> 0 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 582,752 582,752
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 0
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
43 43
<COMMON> 81 81
<OTHER-SE> 100,954 100,954
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 582,752 582,752
<SALES> 24,590 11,778
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 26,438 12,873
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 24,939 11,887
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 2,792 1,213
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18,641 8,943
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,358 146
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,358 146
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,358 146
<EPS-BASIC> $0.04 $(0.05)
<EPS-DILUTED> $0.04 $(0.05)
</TABLE>