<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF METRO INFORMATION SERVICES, INC. AS PRESENTED IN THE
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS' LEGEND.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1999             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999             SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           4,007                   4,007
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,099                  58,099
<ALLOWANCES>                                       386                     386
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                66,961                  66,961
<PP&E>                                          17,924                  17,924
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,056                   6,056
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 178,962                 178,962
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,566                  24,566
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           150                     150
<OTHER-SE>                                      38,765                  38,765
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   178,962                 178,962
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                81,253                 232,035
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   57,233                 164,021
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                16,954                  45,646
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 865                   1,715
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,232                  20,759
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,524                   8,407
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,708                  12,351
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,708                  12,351
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.25                    0.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.25                    0.82


</TABLE>