<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              OCT-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          92,906
<SECURITIES>                                   412,292
<RECEIVABLES>                                  124,931
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,962
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               647,678
<PP&E>                                         178,188
<DEPRECIATION>                                  89,747
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 829,794
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          257,849
<BONDS>                                          3,601
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           653
<OTHER-SE>                                     561,990
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   829,794
<SALES>                                        344,317
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               344,317
<CGS>                                           44,782
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   44,782
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               276,412
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,271
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 34,483
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,225
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,258
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  1,869
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,127
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.30<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.28
<FN>
<F1>FOR PURPOSES OF THIS EXHIBIT, PRIMARY MEANS BASIC.
</FN>