<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Symantec
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended March 31, 1995 and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000849399
<NAME> SYMANTEC CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-02-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                   1.00
<CASH>                                          22,772
<SECURITIES>                                    82,416
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,188
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (4,202)
<INVENTORY>                                      4,177
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               179,629
<PP&E>                                          77,878
<DEPRECIATION>                                (48,998)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 221,315
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           84,585
<BONDS>                                         25,408
<COMMON>                                           372
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     110,950
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   221,315
<SALES>                                        334,867
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               334,867
<CGS>                                           60,830
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   60,830
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               236,906
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   564
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,419
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 38,373
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,873
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,500
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.71