<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,
1999.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1999             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999             SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           8,834                   8,834
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,887                  14,887
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                35,089                  35,089
<PP&E>                                           7,666                   7,666
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  57,599                  57,599
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           46,672                  46,672
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           136                     136
<OTHER-SE>                                       7,651                   7,651
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    57,599                  57,599
<SALES>                                         18,414                  50,817
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                18,414                  50,817
<CGS>                                            7,090                  20,591
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   13,862                  39,357
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,811                  12,262
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,948                   2,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,863                  10,062
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,863                  10,062
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.21                    0.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.18                    0.63


</TABLE>