<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SYMANTEC
CORPORATION'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         139,013
<SECURITIES>                                    86,870
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,574
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (4,416)
<INVENTORY>                                      3,175
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               328,539
<PP&E>                                         158,169
<DEPRECIATION>                               (108,139)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 476,460
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          153,002
<BONDS>                                         14,284
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           571
<OTHER-SE>                                     316,936
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   476,460
<SALES>                                        578,361
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               578,361
<CGS>                                           87,431
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   87,431
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               390,585
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,036
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,218
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                112,097
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,008
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             85,089
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    85,089
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.52<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.42
<FN>
<F1>For the Purposes of This Exhibit. Primary means Basic.
</FN>