<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, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1998             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          23,421                  23,421
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,249                  36,249
<ALLOWANCES>                                       147                     147
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                60,575                  60,575
<PP&E>                                          12,984                  12,984
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,915                   3,915
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  75,341                  75,341
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,628                  17,628
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           149                     149
<OTHER-SE>                                      37,185                  37,185
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    75,341                  75,341
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                56,593                 156,093
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   39,297                 108,076
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,758                  31,101
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,751                  17,513
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,700                   7,005
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,051                  10,508
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,051                  10,508
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.27                    0.71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.27                    0.70
        

</TABLE>