<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 29,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                         212,088
<SECURITIES>                                   289,528
<RECEIVABLES>                                  140,979
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,540
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               656,402
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 742,542
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          183,525
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,281
<OTHER-SE>                                     556,992
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   742,542
<SALES>                                        147,054
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               198,012
<CGS>                                            2,737
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   18,561
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               100,274
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 81,627
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,569
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             53,058
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    53,058
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.39