<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SBA
COMMUNICATIONS 10-Q 9/30/00 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1999 SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 2,704,694 124,840,149
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 21,317,934 42,247,596
<ALLOWANCES> (720,298) (1,872,860)
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 32,344,807 183,965,242
<PP&E> 302,932,266 662,891,828
<DEPRECIATION> (18,423,599) (45,568,532)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 347,183,540 875,642,456
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 40,666,208 83,495,453
<BONDS> 180,673,810 203,010,214
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 287,459 459,304
<OTHER-SE> 97,728,766 613,654,857
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 347,183,540 875,642,456
<SALES> 57,732,566 114,326,914
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 57,732,566 114,326,914
<CGS> 38,436,201 73,378,226
<TOTAL-COSTS> 38,436,201 73,378,226
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19,445,392 24,709,352
<INCOME-PRETAX> (24,330,042) (22,624,256)
<INCOME-TAX> 403,003 (912,116)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (23,927,039) (23,536,372)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (1,149,954) 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (25,076,993) (23,536,372)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.49) (0.60)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.49) (0.60)
</TABLE>