<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Exigent International, Inc. Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for
the six months ended July 31, 1997 and July 31, 1996 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                     6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JAN-31-1998               JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            FEB-01-1997               FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              JUL-31-1997               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                              7                         0<F2>
<SECURITIES>                                        0                         0<F2>
<RECEIVABLES>                                   6,778<F1>                     0<F2>
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0                         0<F2>
<INVENTORY>                                         0                         0<F2>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                7,919                         0<F2>
<PP&E>                                          3,959                         0<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                  2,538                         0<F2>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 10,959                         0<F2>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           3,257                         0<F2>
<BONDS>                                           797                         0<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                         0<F2>
<PREFERRED>                                         7                         0<F2>
<COMMON>                                           38                         0<F2>
<OTHER-SE>                                      6,860                         0<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   10,959                         0<F2>
<SALES>                                             0                         0<F2>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               16,772                    14,396
<CGS>                                               0                         0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   9,142                     8,186
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                6,522                     5,741
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 46                        22
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 1,063                       478
<INCOME-TAX>                                      415                       186
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             1,063                       478
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                         0
<CHANGES>                                           0                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                      647                       291
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    .014                      0.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    .014                      0.08
<FN> 
<F1> Including costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted
     contracts.
<F2> The July 31, 1996 balance sheet is not included in this report--not required.
</FN> 
        

</TABLE>