<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM HEIDRICK &
STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC. FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<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> 144,214
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 141,031
<ALLOWANCES> 15,044
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 307,863
<PP&E> 90,270
<DEPRECIATION> 34,562
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 488,078
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 181,555
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 197
<OTHER-SE> 275,855
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 488,078
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 298,352
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 281,406
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (8,226)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 127
<INCOME-PRETAX> 25,045
<INCOME-TAX> 11,532
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 13,513
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 13,513
<EPS-BASIC> 0.72
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.68
</TABLE>