<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULED  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM THE  CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE  SHEETS ON THE FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED  DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND THE
CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AS FILED ON FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
DECEMBER  31,  1999  AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENCE  TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
<CIK>                           0000896841

<NAME>                          Avid Technology, Inc.

<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000


                             
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