<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, 2000 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>                          MAR-31-2000             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000             MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           1,705                   4,387
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,741                   5,644
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (733)                   (703)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 7,337                   9,560
<PP&E>                                           6,249                   6,076
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (2,110)                 (1,746)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  13,911                  17,482
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,635                  10,291
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          3                       2
<COMMON>                                           220                     220
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,546                   2,566
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    13,911                  17,482
<SALES>                                          7,574                  12,760
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 7,574                  12,760
<CGS>                                            6,514                  11,271
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,015                   1,733
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 112                     191
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    (67)                   (435)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                (67)                   (435)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     266                      17
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       199                    (418)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.02                   (0.12)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.02                   (0.12)


</TABLE>