<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 66,399 <SECURITIES> 255,295 <RECEIVABLES> 94,224 <ALLOWANCES> 4,737 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 443,055 <PP&E> 123,178 <DEPRECIATION> 59,571 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 562,262 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 187,005 <BONDS> 10,634 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 520 <OTHER-SE> 361,372 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 562,262 <SALES> 365,910 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 365,910 <CGS> 43,973 <TOTAL-COSTS> 43,973 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 255,146 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,339 <INCOME-PRETAX> 78,945 <INCOME-TAX> 29,269 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 49,676 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 49,676 <EPS-PRIMARY> .92 <EPS-DILUTED> .92