<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF PAULSON CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY AS OF JUNE
30, 2000 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS IN THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 110
<SECURITIES> 2,631
<RECEIVABLES> 15,788
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 710
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 45,796
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 1,034
<OTHER-SE> 30,945
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 45,796
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 0
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1
<INCOME-PRETAX> 11,212
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 6,727
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.91
</TABLE>