<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RENAISSANCE SOLUTIONS, INC. AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          49,415                   6,159
<SECURITIES>                                    17,910                   4,890
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,629                  12,789
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (807)                   (436)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                78,533                  23,978
<PP&E>                                           6,122                   4,481
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (2,135)                 (1,396)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  82,582                  27,135
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,329                   5,272
<BONDS>                                              0                     720
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             1                       1
<OTHER-SE>                                      71,640                  27,134
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    82,582                  27,135
<SALES>                                         52,450                  35,536
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                52,450                  35,536
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   48,143                  30,236
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   795                     242
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 139                      80
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,861                   5,729
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,091                   1,894
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,770                   3,835
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,770                   3,835
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .20                     .53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
        

</TABLE>