<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Symantec
Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the six month period ended
September 30, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-02-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-04-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-02-1998
<CASH>                                          83,315
<SECURITIES>                                    93,088
<RECEIVABLES>                                   71,809
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (4,618)
<INVENTORY>                                      4,526
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               281,928
<PP&E>                                         173,043
<DEPRECIATION>                               (121,051)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 480,276
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          175,652
<BONDS>                                         14,284
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           563
<OTHER-SE>                                     292,655
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   480,276
<SALES>                                        267,804
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               267,804
<CGS>                                           41,620
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   41,620
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               241,593
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   444
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 651
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,849
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,289
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,560
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,560
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.16