<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         201,614
<SECURITIES>                                   232,602
<RECEIVABLES>                                  120,183
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,910
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               562,050
<PP&E>                                          66,856
<DEPRECIATION>                                  30,339
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 659,217
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          145,992
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,275
<OTHER-SE>                                     511,157
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   659,217
<SALES>                                        448,699
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               600,122
<CGS>                                            4,642
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   56,454
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               339,012
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                216,157
<INCOME-TAX>                                    78,247
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            137,910
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   137,910
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.04