<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TRANSCEND SERVICES, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 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> 9-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 SEP-30-1999
<CASH> 89 67
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 4,062 8,092
<ALLOWANCES> 544 (872)
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 5,480 8,068
<PP&E> 5,573 12,746
<DEPRECIATION> (2,070) (5,740)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 11,133 20,831
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 7,148 8,988
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
3 2
<COMMON> 223 221
<OTHER-SE> 3,759 3,896
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 11,133 20,831
<SALES> 20,654 37,414
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 20,654 37,414
<CGS> 17,475 33,863
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,785 5,834
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 359 625
<INCOME-PRETAX> 35 (2,908)
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 35 (2,908)
<DISCONTINUED> 369 (167)
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 44 (3,435)
<EPS-BASIC> 0.01 (0.78)
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.01 (0.78)
</TABLE>