<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PREMIERE
TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1998             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          35,314                  35,314
<SECURITIES>                                    30,171                  30,171
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,908                  69,908
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (8,591)                 (8,591)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               190,846                 190,846
<PP&E>                                         223,164                 223,164
<DEPRECIATION>                                (90,153)                (90,153)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 911,854                 911,854
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          263,691                 263,691
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           469                     469
<OTHER-SE>                                     422,830                 422,830
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   911,854                 911,854
<SALES>                                        121,540                 327,876
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               121,540                 327,876
<CGS>                                           37,346                 101,336
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   37,346                 101,336
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                93,468                 270,825
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (4,520)                 (9,942)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (13,529)                (54,145)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,300)                 (9,204)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (11,229)                (44,941)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (11,229)                (44,941)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.24)                  (1.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.24)                  (1.03)
        



</TABLE>