<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TRANSCEND SERVICES, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2000 AND 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000 JUN-30-1999
<CASH> 162 1,230
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 4,864 7,109
<ALLOWANCES> 584 (878)
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 6,675 8,249
<PP&E> 5,370 12,721
<DEPRECIATION> (1,815) (5,319)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 12,188 21,626
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 7,994 7,377
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
3 2
<COMMON> 221 220
<OTHER-SE> 3,970 5,093
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 12,188 21,626
<SALES> 14,952 25,107
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 14,952 25,107
<CGS> 12,638 22,661
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,021 4,059
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 251 408
<INCOME-PRETAX> 42 (2,021)
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 42 (2,021)
<DISCONTINUED> 282 59
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 84 (2,202)
<EPS-BASIC> 0.02 (0.50)
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.02 (0.50)
</TABLE>