<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information obtained from The Corporate
Executive Board Company interim condensed unaudited financial statements as of
and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                                       <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000             DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-2000             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000             SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                          22,628                  22,628
<SECURITIES>                                    32,877                  32,877
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,774                   8,774
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                51,226                  51,226
<PP&E>                                          15,263                  15,263
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 116,019                 116,019
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           57,580                  70,105
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           310                     310
<OTHER-SE>                                      56,758                  56,758
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   116,019                 116,019
<SALES>                                         25,084                  68,480
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                25,084                  68,480
<CGS>                                            9,049                  25,898
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   18,974                  53,063
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,705                  17,047
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,615                   6,649
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,090                  10,398
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,090                  10,398
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.13                    0.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.12                    0.30



</TABLE>