<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS THE SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM APAC
CUSTOMER SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FORM 10-Q FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS
ENDED OCTOBER 1, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
10-Q FILING.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-01-2000
<CASH> 38,423
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 69,478
<ALLOWANCES> 2,855
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 123,373
<PP&E> 138,382
<DEPRECIATION> 84,390
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 234,087
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 66,656
<BONDS> 90,624
0
0
<COMMON> 497
<OTHER-SE> 67,703
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 234,087
<SALES> 350,269
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 350,269
<CGS> 268,092
<TOTAL-COSTS> 322,524
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,566
<INCOME-PRETAX> 20,179
<INCOME-TAX> 8,072
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,107
<DISCONTINUED> 115
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 12,222
<EPS-BASIC> .25
<EPS-DILUTED> .24
</TABLE>