<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
Exigent International, Inc. Financial Statements for the nine months ended 
October 31, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                              <C>                    <C> 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    9-MOS                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JAN-31-1998            JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            FEB-01-1997            FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              OCT-31-1997            OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                            865                      0<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                        0                      0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                   6,729<F2>                  0<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0                      0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                         0                      0<F1>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                8,492                      0<F1>
<PP&E>                                          4,001                      0<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                  2,715                      0<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 12,042                      0<F1>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           3,430                      0<F1>
<BONDS>                                         1,416                      0<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                      0<F1>
<PREFERRED>                                         7                      0<F1>
<COMMON>                                           38                      0<F1>
<OTHER-SE>                                      7,152                      0<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   12,042                      0<F1>
<SALES>                                             0                      0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               25,912                 22,763
<CGS>                                               0                      0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  19,851                 17,927
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                4,513                  3,712
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 67                     37
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 1,507                  1,136
<INCOME-TAX>                                      588                    551
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             1,548                  1,125
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                      0
<CHANGES>                                           0                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                      919                    585
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.20                   0.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.19                   0.13
<FN>

<F1> Nine month period for fiscal 1997 balance sheet items not included in 
     filing.

<F2> Including costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted
     contracts.

</FN>
        

</TABLE>