<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, 1999 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>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999             MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                             358                   2,481
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,678                   5,148
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (378)                   (163)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 8,681                   8,990
<PP&E>                                          12,315                   6,867
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (4,815)                 (2,980)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  22,111                  19,248
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,781                   3,884
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          2                       2
<COMMON>                                           220                     206
<OTHER-SE>                                       6,757                   7,863
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    22,111                  19,248
<SALES>                                         13,569                  12,374
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                13,569                  12,374
<CGS>                                           11,635                  10,305
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,138                   1,658
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 191                     104
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (395)                     307
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (395)                     307
<DISCONTINUED>                                    (23)                    (15)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (538)                     173
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.02)                    0.01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.02)                    0.01
        

</TABLE>