<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>