<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE PILOT
NETWORK SERVICES, INC. FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<CASH> 7,920
<SECURITIES> 898
<RECEIVABLES> 7,622
<ALLOWANCES> 389
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 16,894
<PP&E> 40,430
<DEPRECIATION> 15,806
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 43,157
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 18,546
<BONDS> 3,561
0
0
<COMMON> 15
<OTHER-SE> 21,035
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 43,157
<SALES> 31,897
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 31,897
<CGS> 31,183
<TOTAL-COSTS> 31,183
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 21,256
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (1,199)
<INCOME-PRETAX> (21,741)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (21,741)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.55)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.55)
</TABLE>