<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 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> 12,512 21,626
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 7,994 7,377
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
3 2
<COMMON> 221 220
<OTHER-SE> 4,294 5,093
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 12,512 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> 606 59
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 408 (2,202)
<EPS-BASIC> 0.09 (0.50)
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.09 (0.50)
</TABLE>