<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 OF ZIFF DAVIS MEDIA
INC. (THE "COMPANY") AND THE CARVE-OUT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 OF ZIFF-DAVIS PUBLISHING (A DIVISION OF THE
COMPANY'S PREDECESSOR, ZIFF-DAVIS INC.) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001123652
<NAME> ZIFF DAVIS MEDIA INC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2001 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> APR-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 DEC-31-1999
<CASH> 91,235 2,487
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 138,767 187,102
<ALLOWANCES> 70,812 (89,200)
<INVENTORY> 4,649 10,881
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 175,902 132,646
<PP&E> 66,609 118,725
<DEPRECIATION> (6,400) (53,196)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 972,186 931,248
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 107,143 104,523
<BONDS> 545,290 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 0 0
<OTHER-SE> 321,393 826,725
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 972,186 931,248
<SALES> 227,390 535,709
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 227,390 535,709
<CGS> 64,581 158,040
<TOTAL-COSTS> 64,581 158,040
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 149,873 1,142,866<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 2,804 8,977
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 27,426 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> (13,274) (763,323)
<INCOME-TAX> 333 (180,289)<F2>
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (13,607) (583,034)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (13,607) (583,034)
<EPS-BASIC> 0 0<F3>
<EPS-DILUTED> 0 0<F3>
<FN>
<F1> (1) Includes a writedown of intangible assets of $778,760.
<F2> (2) Represents income tax benefit.
<F2> (3) Earnings per share is not presented as the Company has no public
equity securities.
</FN>
</TABLE>