<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ZIFF DAVIS
INC.'S 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-2000 Dec-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> Jan-01-2000 Jan-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> Jun-30-2000 Jun-30-1999
<CASH> 63,616 32,529
<SECURITIES> 7,653 0
<RECEIVABLES> 65,898 317,433
<ALLOWANCES> 19,992 82,538
<INVENTORY> 772 11,956
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 131,323 349,901
<PP&E> 20,267 206,268
<DEPRECIATION> 10,414 96,513
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,165,892 3,459,972
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 105,752 404,601
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 1,226 1,153
<OTHER-SE> 908,414 1,580,013
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,165,892 3,459,972
<SALES> 229,140 333,978
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 229,140 333,978
<CGS> 50,285 95,455
<TOTAL-COSTS> 306,852 336,278
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 780 (426)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 12,466 47,503
<INCOME-PRETAX> 89,398 (49,377)
<INCOME-TAX> (99,784) 4,988
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 10,386 (44,389)
<DISCONTINUED> 109,664 3,472
<EXTRAORDINARY> (23,280) 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 96,770 (40,917)
<EPS-BASIC> 0.93 (0.40)
<EPS-DILUTED> 0 0
</TABLE>