<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE NOVEMBER 30, 1995 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PAYCHEX, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000723531 <NAME> PAYCHEX,INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <CURRENCY> US <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JUN-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1995 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 8,907 <SECURITIES> 85,736 <RECEIVABLES> 37,629 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 142,072 <PP&E> 105,916 <DEPRECIATION> 54,990 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 198,374 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 29,562 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 456 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 167,532 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 198,374 <SALES> 154,405 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 154,405 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 122,169 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 41 <INCOME-PRETAX> 34,942 <INCOME-TAX> 9,958 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 24,984 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 24,984 <EPS-PRIMARY> .55 <EPS-DILUTED> .55