<ARTICLE>               5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
NOVEMBER 30, 2000 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PAYCHEX, INC., AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<CIK>          0000723531
<NAME>         PAYCHEX, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       MAY-31-2001
<PERIOD-START>                          JUN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                            NOV-30-2000
<CASH>                                       32,561
<SECURITIES>                              2,334,738
<RECEIVABLES>                               108,251
<ALLOWANCES>                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                          2,505,069
<PP&E>                                      209,071
<DEPRECIATION>                              128,799
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            2,603,829
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                     1,933,409
<BONDS>                                           0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
<PREFERRED>                                       0
<COMMON>                                      3,729
<OTHER-SE>                                  661,534
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              2,603,829
<SALES>                                           0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            411,981
<CGS>                                             0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                93,022
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            156,708
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             173,750
<INCOME-TAX>                                 52,994
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         120,756
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                120,756
<EPS-BASIC>                                     .32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   .32