<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR HOOVER'S INC., FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2001
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 41,818
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 6,243
<ALLOWANCES> 499
<INVENTORY> 100
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 49,026
<PP&E> 8,503
<DEPRECIATION> 3,457
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 84,744
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 17,002
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 156
<OTHER-SE> 67,555
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 84,744
<SALES> 7,518
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 7,518
<CGS> 3,648
<TOTAL-COSTS> 10,855
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 695
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 40
<INCOME-PRETAX> (6,988)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (6,988)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (6,988)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.47)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.47)
</TABLE>