<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM VIGNETTE
CORPORATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) AS OF AND FOR THE NINE 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> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 486,956
<SECURITIES> 12,339
<RECEIVABLES> 114,207
<ALLOWANCES> 8,942
<INVENTORY> 173
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 615,187
<PP&E> 52,714
<DEPRECIATION> 11,737
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,340,178
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 197,322
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 2,352
<OTHER-SE> 2,136,875
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,340,178
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 242,747
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 84,760
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 569,664
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,170
<INCOME-PRETAX> (393,085)
<INCOME-TAX> 440
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (393,525)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (393,525)
<EPS-BASIC> (2.00)
<EPS-DILUTED> (2.00)
</TABLE>