
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from eBay
Inc.'s prospectus on Form S-1 for the period ended December 31, 1998 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                              <C>                    <C>                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                    YEAR                   
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           DEC-31-1997            DEC-31-1998 
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-01-1997            JAN-01-1998 
<PERIOD-END>                                DEC-31-1997            DEC-31-1998 
<CASH>                                            3,723                 31,790 
<SECURITIES>                                          0                 40,401 
<RECEIVABLES>                                     1,385                  9,491 
<ALLOWANCES>                                       (361)                (3,122)
<INVENTORY>                                           0                      0 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  4,967                 83,385 
<PP&E>                                              728                  9,595 
<DEPRECIATION>                                      (76)                (1,764)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    5,619                 92,483 
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             1,124                  8,038 
<BONDS>                                               0                      0 
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             3,018                      0 
<PREFERRED>                                           4                      0 
<COMMON>                                             61                    121 
<OTHER-SE>                                          950                 84,324 
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      5,619                 92,483 
<SALES>                                               0                      0 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  5,744                 47,352 
<CGS>                                                 0                      0 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       746                  6,859 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  3,511                 34,332 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0                      0 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                    3                     39 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   1,543                  7,030 
<INCOME-TAX>                                        669                  4,632 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 874                  2,398 
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0                      0 
<CHANGES>                                             0                      0 
<NET-INCOME>                                        874                  2,398 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      0.04                   0.05 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.01                   0.02 

        

</TABLE>
