<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 43,747 <SECURITIES> 251,839 <RECEIVABLES> 87,636 <ALLOWANCES> 5,701 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 411,941 <PP&E> 116,708 <DEPRECIATION> 57,239 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 515,643 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 176,207 <BONDS> 12,260 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 514 <OTHER-SE> 324,686 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 515,643 <SALES> 240,910 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 240,910 <CGS> 27,779 <TOTAL-COSTS> 27,779 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 172,840 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 745 <INCOME-PRETAX> 48,345 <INCOME-TAX> 18,869 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 29,476 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 29,476 <EPS-PRIMARY> .55 <EPS-DILUTED> .55