<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TITAN CORPORATION'S REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE
MONTHS PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 41,712
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 340,355
<ALLOWANCES> 0<F1>
<INVENTORY> 26,324
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 470,253
<PP&E> 153,293
<DEPRECIATION> 83,058
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 923,227
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 192,179
<BONDS> 283,888
0
690
<COMMON> 538
<OTHER-SE> 153,808
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 923,227
<SALES> 752,702
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 752,702
<CGS> 564,506
<TOTAL-COSTS> 564,506
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 188,682
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0<F2>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 28,568
<INCOME-PRETAX> (26,252)
<INCOME-TAX> (5,828)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (17,287)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (4,744)
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (22,031)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.48)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.47)
<FN>
<F1>DUE TO THE USE OF CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR INTERIM REPORTING, THIS
INFORMATION IS NOT COMPILED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
<F2>DUE TO THE USE OF CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR INTERIM REPORTING, THIS
INFORMATION IS NOT COMPILED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
</FN>
</TABLE>
