<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, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-03-1997
<CASH>                                         106,592
<SECURITIES>                                    70,113
<RECEIVABLES>                                   60,220
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (4,327)
<INVENTORY>                                      2,310
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               261,050
<PP&E>                                         148,523
<DEPRECIATION>                                (96,763)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 402,269
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          125,627
<BONDS>                                         15,107
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           562
<OTHER-SE>                                     260,973
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   402,269
<SALES>                                        252,364
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               252,364
<CGS>                                           43,309
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   43,309
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               186,164
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   508
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 579
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 50,799
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,684
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             39,115
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    39,115
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.67