<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MAY 31,
1999 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>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       MAY-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                          JUN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                            MAY-31-1999
<CASH>                                       52,692
<SECURITIES>                              1,652,078
<RECEIVABLES>                                80,986
<ALLOWANCES>                                      0
<INVENTORY>                                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                          1,793,120
<PP&E>                                      168,484
<DEPRECIATION>                              102,553
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            1,873,101
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                     1,432,336
<BONDS>                                           0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
<PREFERRED>                                       0
<COMMON>                                      2,463
<OTHER-SE>                                  433,337
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              1,873,101
<SALES>                                           0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                          1,175,428
<CGS>                                             0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               730,088
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   0
<INCOME-TAX>                                 61,044
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         139,099
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                139,099
<EPS-BASIC>                                     .57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   .56