<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998
<CASH>                                          63,191
<SECURITIES>                                   663,294
<RECEIVABLES>                                  124,386
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (5,710)
<INVENTORY>                                      2,015
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               920,486
<PP&E>                                         128,365
<DEPRECIATION>                                (58,790)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,073,414
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          397,290
<BONDS>                                         39,173
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           487
<OTHER-SE>                                     636,347
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,073,414
<SALES>                                        475,467
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               475,467
<CGS>                                           97,206
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   99,147
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               343,603
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,106
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 358
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,413
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,534
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,879
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,879
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.56<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.54<F2>
<FN>
<F1>BASIC EPS AS DEFINED BY FAS 128
<F2>DILUTED EPS AS DEFINED BY FAS 128
</FN>