<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SYMANTEC
CORPORATION'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDED
JUNE 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-03-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-02-1999
<CASH>                                         199,521
<SECURITIES>                                    20,321
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,154
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (4,707)
<INVENTORY>                                      6,357
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               325,736
<PP&E>                                         197,058
<DEPRECIATION>                               (143,229)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 565,628
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          204,436
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           565
<OTHER-SE>                                     359,536
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   565,628
<SALES>                                        175,138
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               175,138
<CGS>                                           30,623
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   30,623
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               116,769
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    61
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  27
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,464
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,737
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,727
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,727
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.41