<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The Barra, Inc. Form 10-K as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31,
2000
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2000 MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 MAR-31-2000
<CASH> 53,320 53,320
<SECURITIES> 27,424 27,424
<RECEIVABLES> 19,166 19,166
<ALLOWANCES> 755 755
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 117,647 117,647
<PP&E> 35,685 35,685
<DEPRECIATION> 18,366 18,366
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 168,762 168,762
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 67,695 67,695
<BONDS> 0 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 1 1
<OTHER-SE> 96,785 96,785
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 168,762 168,762
<SALES> 44,531 186,549
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 44,531 186,549
<CGS> 1,705 7,953
<TOTAL-COSTS> 34,992<F3> 137,677<F4>
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,027<F1> 15,937<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,885<F2> 3,980<F2>
<INCOME-PRETAX> 10,397 36,915
<INCOME-TAX> 3,639 13,479
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,758 23,436
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 6,758 23,436
<EPS-BASIC> .49 1.68
<EPS-DILUTED> .46 1.60
<FN>
<F3>Includes restructuring charges of 3,463,000 ($.15 per diluted share)
<F4>Includes restructuring charges of 9,024,000 ($.39 per diluted share)
<F1>Represents minority interest and equity in joint venture losses
<F2>Represents net interest income
</FN>
</TABLE>