<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> BD
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF PAULSON CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY AS OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS,
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS IN THE PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 106
<RECEIVABLES> 16,495
<SECURITIES-RESALE> 1,882
<SECURITIES-BORROWED> 0
<INSTRUMENTS-OWNED> 18,934
<PP&E> 697
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 38,384
<SHORT-TERM> 0
<PAYABLES> 6,562
<REPOS-SOLD> 0
<SECURITIES-LOANED> 0
<INSTRUMENTS-SOLD> 122
<LONG-TERM> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 1,057
<OTHER-SE> 30,192
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 38,384
<TRADING-REVENUE> 1,868
<INTEREST-DIVIDENDS> 64
<COMMISSIONS> 12,745
<INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES> 2,492
<FEE-REVENUE> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<COMPENSATION> 14,097
<INCOME-PRETAX> 10,390
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 10,390
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 6,240
<EPS-BASIC> 1.78
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.78
</TABLE>