<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed
consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations of AXENT Technologies,
Inc. as of and for the year ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                    YEAR                    YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                      25,790,000              17,261,000               6,083,000
<SECURITIES>                                15,100,000              18,629,000                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                               10,897,000               5,144,000               5,368,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   506,000                 318,000                 297,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            52,867,000              41,284,000              11,492,000
<PP&E>                                       5,162,000               3,710,000               3,578,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,922,000               2,293,000               2,481,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              56,475,000              44,001,000              12,646,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       13,416,000               9,553,000               9,544,000
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                       248,000                 203,000                 159,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  42,811,000              34,245,000               2,817,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                56,475,000              44,001,000              12,646,000
<SALES>                                              0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            41,661,000              22,097,000              14,728,000
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,204,000               1,912,000               1,747,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            58,329,000              20,127,000              17,693,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               392,000                 233,000                 (18,000)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                  51,000                 129,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (20,872,000)                 58,000              (4,712,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 5,299,000               1,159,000              (2,146,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (19,696,000)              3,285,000              (2,695,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 255,000               2,395,000               5,050,000
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                               (19,441,000)              5,680,000               2,355,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.63)                   0.61                    0.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.63)                   0.54                    0.26


</TABLE>