<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE ENCLOSED FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WAVE SYSTEMS CORP. FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>0000919013
<NAME> WAVE SYSTEMS CORP.
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 105,231,677
<SECURITIES> 4,096,301
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 476,552
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 110,408,087
<PP&E> 6,592,987
<DEPRECIATION> (2,953,794)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 117,929,400
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,886,908
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 469,120
<OTHER-SE> 113,042,492
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 117,929,400
<SALES> 77,349
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 0
<CGS> 50,203
<TOTAL-COSTS> 20,088,287
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> (17,448,929)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (17,448,929)
<EPS-BASIC> (.38)
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>