<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 4,912
<SECURITIES> 5,990
<RECEIVABLES> 1,734
<ALLOWANCES> 78
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 14,111
<PP&E> 14,613
<DEPRECIATION> 1,936
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 32,323
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,271
<BONDS> 5,331
0
0
<COMMON> 7
<OTHER-SE> 20,635
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 32,323
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 14,110
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 7,741
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,044
<LOSS-PROVISION> 59
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (3)
<INCOME-PRETAX> 2,827
<INCOME-TAX> 852
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,975
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,975
<EPS-BASIC> .28
<EPS-DILUTED> .28
</TABLE>