<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FORM
10-Q FILING AT JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001059496
<NAME> AMERICAN LAWYER MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998             JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           1,882                   1,882
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,955                  16,955
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,488                   3,488
<INVENTORY>                                      1,510                   1,510
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                19,399                  19,399
<PP&E>                                           7,272                   7,272
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,554                   1,554
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 380,620                 380,620
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,286                  34,286
<BONDS>                                        212,263                 212,263
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             1                       1
<OTHER-SE>                                      73,905                  73,905
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   380,620                 380,620
<SALES>                                         32,291                  58,667
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                32,291                  58,667
<CGS>                                           10,617                  19,450
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   30,328                  57,568
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,742                  11,229
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,779)                (10,130)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (810)                 (1,747)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,969)                 (8,383)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,969)                 (8,383)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
        

</TABLE>