<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000883241
<NAME> SYNOPSYS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          21,580
<SECURITIES>                                   212,575
<RECEIVABLES>                                   48,992
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,493
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               303,908
<PP&E>                                          85,851
<DEPRECIATION>                                  40,611
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 383,610
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          149,837
<BONDS>                                         17,804
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           403
<OTHER-SE>                                     215,566
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   383,610
<SALES>                                        255,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               255,000
<CGS>                                           28,069
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   28,069
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               217,031
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 958
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,150
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,128
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,022
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,022
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .24