<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NOVA STAR
FINANCIAL'S FORM 10Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS AND THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JUL-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 2,767 2,767
<SECURITIES> 41,784 41,784
<RECEIVABLES> 424,547 424,547
<ALLOWANCES> 8,132 8,132
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 0
<PP&E> 0 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 516,717 516,717
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 0
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
81 81
<COMMON> 43 43
<OTHER-SE> 100,739 100,739
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 516,717 516,717
<SALES> 36,310 10,993
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 37,288 10,850
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 34,598 9,659
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 4,004 1,212
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 26,881 8,240
<INCOME-PRETAX> 3,336 1,978
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,336 1,978
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 3,336 1,978
<EPS-BASIC> 0.25 0.21
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.25 0.18
</TABLE>