<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR HOOVER'S, INC., FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<CASH> 56,924
<SECURITIES> 627
<RECEIVABLES> 3,581
<ALLOWANCES> 292
<INVENTORY> 58
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 60,806
<PP&E> 4,303
<DEPRECIATION> 1,919
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 64,515
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,506
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 127
<OTHER-SE> 57,818
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 64,515
<SALES> 19,073
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 19,073
<CGS> 7,436
<TOTAL-COSTS> 23,401
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19
<INCOME-PRETAX> (9,528)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (9,528)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (9,528)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.88)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.88)
</TABLE>