<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 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-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           4,025                   3,712
<SECURITIES>                                     8,613                  77,355
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,152                  14,013
<ALLOWANCES>                                       416                     753
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                22,334                  98,176
<PP&E>                                           1,680                   4,874
<DEPRECIATION>                                     754                   1,823
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  24,757                 107,829
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,627                  20,738
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           205                     425
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,457                  86,634
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    24,757                 107,829
<SALES>                                         25,006                  48,988
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                25,006                  48,988
<CGS>                                            4,916                   9,531
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   25,496                  74,783
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   287                     337
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    233                (23,988)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (281)                   (160)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                514                (23,828)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       514                (23,828)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.02                  (0.68)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.01                  (0.68)
        

</TABLE>