<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TRANSCEND SERVICES, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2000 DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 MAR-31-1999
<CASH> 1,705 4,387
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 4,741 5,644
<ALLOWANCES> (733) (703)
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 7,337 9,560
<PP&E> 6,249 6,076
<DEPRECIATION> (2,110) (1,746)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 13,911 17,482
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,635 10,291
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
3 2
<COMMON> 220 220
<OTHER-SE> 3,546 2,566
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 13,911 17,482
<SALES> 7,574 12,760
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 7,574 12,760
<CGS> 6,514 11,271
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,015 1,733
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 112 191
<INCOME-PRETAX> (67) (435)
<INCOME-TAX> 0 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (67) (435)
<DISCONTINUED> 266 17
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 199 (418)
<EPS-BASIC> 0.02 (0.12)
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.02 (0.12)
</TABLE>