<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 287,813 <SECURITIES> 3,128 <RECEIVABLES> 342,192 <ALLOWANCES> 68,935 <INVENTORY> 32,259 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 629,848 <PP&E> 112,763 <DEPRECIATION> 19,662 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 780,777 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 256,196 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 592 <OTHER-SE> 523,989 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 780,777 <SALES> 704,785 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 704,785 <CGS> 376,752 <TOTAL-COSTS> 376,752 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 264,937 <LOSS-PROVISION> 4,061 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 204 <INCOME-PRETAX> 85,346 <INCOME-TAX> 28,164 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 57,182 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 57,210 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.98 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.94