<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHED CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PACIFICARE
HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DEC 31, 1996, SEPT
30, 1996 & 1995, & RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE 
TRANSITION PERIOD DEC 31, 1996 & FISCAL YEARS ENDED SEPT 30, 1996 & 1995, 
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1996              SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996             OCT-01-1995              OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             SEP-30-1996              SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                         367,748                 142,818                  279,145
<SECURITIES>                                   594,734                 557,275                  532,380
<RECEIVABLES>                                  157,089                 170,435                  113,098
<ALLOWANCES>                                       877                     890                      690
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                        0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,182,315                 934,207                  961,609
<PP&E>                                         186,880                 186,087                  172,417
<DEPRECIATION>                                  95,641                  92,271                   73,141
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,561,472               1,229,462                1,385,372
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          699,609                 470,664                  640,994
<BONDS>                                              0                   5,183                   11,949
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                        0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                        0
<COMMON>                                           313                     313                      309
<OTHER-SE>                                     859,789                 822,911                  731,715
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,561,472               1,299,462                1,385,372
<SALES>                                              0                       0                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,234,875               4,637,305                3,731,022
<CGS>                                                0                       0                        0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,039,345               3,872,747                3,077,135
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               154,996                 685,921                  505,644
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   296                     999                      530
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 350                   2,094                    5,549
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 52,836                 122,180                  182,100
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,079                  50,827                   74,005
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,757                  71,953                  108,095
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                        0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,757                  71,953                  108,095
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.01                    2.31                     3.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.00                    2.27                     3.62
        

</TABLE>