<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1998 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 <CASH> 166,094 <SECURITIES> 422,645 <RECEIVABLES> 123,289 <ALLOWANCES> 12,099 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 738,588 <PP&E> 182,591 <DEPRECIATION> 94,593 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 896,398 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 260,641 <BONDS> 3,839 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 667 <OTHER-SE> 625,380 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 896,398 <SALES> 523,923 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 523,923 <CGS> 68,108 <TOTAL-COSTS> 68,108 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 382,842 <LOSS-PROVISION> 4,028 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,669 <INCOME-PRETAX> 87,015 <INCOME-TAX> 35,086 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 51,929 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 1,869 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 53,798 <EPS-PRIMARY> .83<F1> <EPS-DILUTED> .79 <FN> <F1>FOR PURPOSES OF THIS EXHIBIT, PRIMARY MEANS BASIC. </FN>