<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PACIFICARE
HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995, MARCH
31, 1996, JUNE 30, 1996 AND RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE
QUARTERS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, MARCH 31, 1996, JUNE 30, 1996, 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                   6-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995             OCT-01-1995             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995             MAR-31-1996             JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                         357,290                 190,207                 154,461
<SECURITIES>                                   541,017                 527,007                 522,061
<RECEIVABLES>                                  115,672                 141,669                 140,255
<ALLOWANCES>                                       846                     891                     761
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,046,825                 895,765                 849,497
<PP&E>                                         178,074                 183,086                 184,159
<DEPRECIATION>                                  78,782                  83,914                  88,889
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,468,456               1,323,053               1,264,657
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          689,207                 510,773                 446,012
<BONDS>                                         11,063                  10,105                   5,555
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                           310                     312                     312
<OTHER-SE>                                     767,471                 801,471                 812,386
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,468,456               1,323,053               1,264,657
<SALES>                                              0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,064,324               2,221,494               3,416,212
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  849,709               1,859,836               2,855,936
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               134,531                 284,609                 474,198
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    93                      30                     561
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 513                   1,342                   1,737
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 46,833                 100,181                 119,090
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,854                  40,333                  50,664
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,979                  59,848                  68,426
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,979                  59,848                  68,426
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.90                    1.93                    2.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.88                    1.89                    2.16
        

</TABLE>