<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001103126
<NAME> WATSON WYATT & COMPANY HOLDINGS
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 41,410
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 145,570
<ALLOWANCES> 2,832
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 195,853
<PP&E> 128,448
<DEPRECIATION> 83,211
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 329,960
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 179,676
<BONDS> 108,575
0
0
<COMMON> 14,805
<OTHER-SE> 26,406
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 329,960
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 624,583
<CGS> 512,329
<TOTAL-COSTS> 593,803
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,876
<INCOME-PRETAX> 33,843
<INCOME-TAX> 15,195
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,648
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 18,533
<EPS-BASIC> 1.24
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>