<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF TRANSCEND SERVICES, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 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>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                              89                      67
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,062                   8,092
<ALLOWANCES>                                       544                   (872)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 5,480                   8,068
<PP&E>                                           5,573                  12,746
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (2,070)                 (5,740)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  11,133                  20,831
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,148                   8,988
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          3                       2
<COMMON>                                           223                     221
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,759                   3,896
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    11,133                  20,831
<SALES>                                         20,654                  37,414
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                20,654                  37,414
<CGS>                                           17,475                  33,863
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,785                   5,834
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 359                     625
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     35                 (2,908)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 35                 (2,908)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     369                   (167)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                        44                 (3,435)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.01                  (0.78)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.01                  (0.78)



</TABLE>