<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TRANSCEND SERVICES, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999             JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           1,230                   3,068
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,109                   6,326
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (878)                   (169)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 8,249                  10,672
<PP&E>                                          12,721                   8,394
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (5,319)                 (3,425)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  21,626                  21,982
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,377                   6,137
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          2                       2
<COMMON>                                           220                     216
<OTHER-SE>                                       5,093                   7,817
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    21,626                  21,982
<SALES>                                         26,866                  25,205
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                26,866                  25,205
<CGS>                                           23,431                  20,941
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,943                   3,357
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 408                     205
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,916)                     702
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,916)                     702
<DISCONTINUED>                                    (46)                    (32)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,202)                     431
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.10)                    0.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.10)                    0.02


</TABLE>