<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EBENX, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                           1,681                  98,611
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,015                   3,460
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (51)                    (45)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3,987                 103,081
<PP&E>                                           2,720                   4,328
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (1,152)                 (1,872)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   5,596                 105,599
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,205                   4,473
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                      5,468                       0
<COMMON>                                            35                     152
<OTHER-SE>                                         110                 108,223
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     5,596                 105,599
<SALES>                                         10,122                  17,526
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                10,122                  17,526
<CGS>                                            6,958                  13,372
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,308                  23,269
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,042)                 (5,027)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,042)                 (5,027)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,042)                 (5,027)
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .30<F1>                1.18<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .30                    1.18
<FN>
<F1>THE COMPANY EFFECTED A THREE FOR ONE STOCK SPLIT ON DECEMBER 8, 1999. PRIOR
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULES HAVE NOT BEEN RESTATED TO REFLECT THE SPLIT.
</FN>


</TABLE>