<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BUTLER
INTERNATIONAL, INC. FORM 10-Q FOR 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-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 462
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 73063
<ALLOWANCES> 1605
<INVENTORY> 424
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 78602
<PP&E> 40478
<DEPRECIATION> 19505
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 168027
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 28069
<BONDS> 0
<COMMON> 10
0
5
<OTHER-SE> 64017
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 168027
<SALES> 203648
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 203648
<CGS> 158978
<TOTAL-COSTS> 158978
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 35615
<LOSS-PROVISION> 170
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2919
<INCOME-PRETAX> 5966
<INCOME-TAX> 2100
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 3866
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 3866
<EPS-BASIC> 0.39
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.34
</TABLE>