<ARTICLE>                  5
<LEGEND>

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FEBRUARY 28, 2001 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       MAY-31-2001
<PERIOD-START>                          JUN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                            FEB-28-2001
<CASH>                                      106,796
<SECURITIES>                              2,339,690
<RECEIVABLES>                                89,898
<ALLOWANCES>                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                          2,564,742
<PP&E>                                      218,131
<DEPRECIATION>                              131,840
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            2,671,131
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                     1,948,606
<BONDS>                                           0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
<PREFERRED>                                       0
<COMMON>                                      3,733
<OTHER-SE>                                  713,658
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              2,671,131
<SALES>                                           0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            641,237
<CGS>                                             0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               147,398
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            244,706
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             267,866
<INCOME-TAX>                                 80,758
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         187,108
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                187,108
<EPS-BASIC>                                     .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   .50