Data - need to know for my new job

[StealthPolarBear]

Where do we stand on data is vs data are? I know "data are" is correct, but is it pedantic sounding? Is "data is" in common use, so I'll sound like an idiot if I use "are"? Or will I sound ignorant if I say "is"?
What do the data show?

think I've probably answered my own question...I'd never say "this data is"
So I'm on the plural side of the fence, no going back

think I've probably answered my own question...I'd never say "this data is"
So I'm on the plural side of the fence, no going back