<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, 2000 AND 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-31-2000             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000             JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                             162                   1,230
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,864                   7,109
<ALLOWANCES>                                       584                    (878)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 6,675                   8,249
<PP&E>                                           5,370                  12,721
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (1,815)                 (5,319)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  12,188                  21,626
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,994                   7,377
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          3                       2
<COMMON>                                           221                     220
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,970                   5,093
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    12,188                  21,626
<SALES>                                         14,952                  25,107
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                14,952                  25,107
<CGS>                                           12,638                  22,661
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,021                   4,059
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 251                     408
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     42                  (2,021)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 42                  (2,021)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     282                      59
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                        84                  (2,202)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.02                   (0.50)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.02                   (0.50)



</TABLE>