<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS REPORTED IN THE QUARTERLY
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001052100
<NAME> WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 80,666
<SECURITIES> 61,448
<RECEIVABLES> 42,242
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 189,031
<PP&E> 58,485
<DEPRECIATION> 15,867
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 411,540
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 307,132
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 997
<OTHER-SE> 90,959
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 411,540
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 133,775
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 72,663
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,523
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,268
<INCOME-PRETAX> 55,321
<INCOME-TAX> 21,611
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 33,710
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 33,710
<EPS-BASIC> $0.41
<EPS-DILUTED> $0.39
</TABLE>