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

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-03-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-01-1999
<CASH>                                         192,742
<SECURITIES>                                    17,517
<RECEIVABLES>                                   86,761
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (5,249)
<INVENTORY>                                      6,451
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               337,985
<PP&E>                                         206,820
<DEPRECIATION>                               (150,741)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 621,300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          206,626
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           576
<OTHER-SE>                                     413,189
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   621,300
<SALES>                                        357,673
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               357,673
<CGS>                                           61,265
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   61,265
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               236,614
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   531
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  22
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 74,596
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,037
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             49,559
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    49,559
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.87
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.84