<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 33,499 <SECURITIES> 198,041 <RECEIVABLES> 68,325 <ALLOWANCES> 3,446 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 320,337 <PP&E> 102,322 <DEPRECIATION> 46,384 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 426,277 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 146,291 <BONDS> 14,122 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 408 <OTHER-SE> 263,872 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 426,277 <SALES> 102,500 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 102,500 <CGS> 12,202 <TOTAL-COSTS> 12,202 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 69,898 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 416 <INCOME-PRETAX> 24,100 <INCOME-TAX> 7,950 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 16,150 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 16,150 <EPS-PRIMARY> .38 <EPS-DILUTED> .38