<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM KORN/FERRY
INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 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> APR-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-2000
<CASH> 86,975
<SECURITIES> 59,978
<RECEIVABLES> 114,044
<ALLOWANCES> (12,538)
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 267,838
<PP&E> 67,804
<DEPRECIATION> (31,992)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 475,994
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 184,790
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 231,224
<OTHER-SE> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 475,994
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 500,743
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 445,938
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,436
<INCOME-PRETAX> 57,771
<INCOME-TAX> 24,126
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 33,645
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 30,811
<EPS-BASIC> 0.85
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.82
</TABLE>