<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED 9-30-00 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO CONTAINED IN THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000818813
<NAME> BITSTREAM, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> USD
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 7,477
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 4,091
<ALLOWANCES> 1,447
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 10,216
<PP&E> 3,505
<DEPRECIATION> 2,863
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 13,074
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,067
<BONDS> 0
78
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 10,901
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 13,074
<SALES> 6,894
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 6,894
<CGS> 1,000
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> (2,069)
<INCOME-TAX> 171
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,240)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (2,240)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.29)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.29)
</TABLE>