<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the condensed consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations of AXENT Technologies, Inc. as of and for the year ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR YEAR YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1995 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 DEC-31-1996 DEC-31-1995 <CASH> 25,790,000 17,261,000 6,083,000 <SECURITIES> 15,100,000 18,629,000 0 <RECEIVABLES> 10,897,000 5,144,000 5,368,000 <ALLOWANCES> 506,000 318,000 297,000 <INVENTORY> 0 0 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 52,867,000 41,284,000 11,492,000 <PP&E> 5,162,000 3,710,000 3,578,000 <DEPRECIATION> 2,922,000 2,293,000 2,481,000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 56,475,000 44,001,000 12,646,000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 13,416,000 9,553,000 9,544,000 <BONDS> 0 0 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 0 <COMMON> 248,000 203,000 159,000 <OTHER-SE> 42,811,000 34,245,000 2,817,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 56,475,000 44,001,000 12,646,000 <SALES> 0 0 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 41,661,000 22,097,000 14,728,000 <CGS> 0 0 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 4,204,000 1,912,000 1,747,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 58,329,000 20,127,000 17,693,000 <LOSS-PROVISION> 392,000 233,000 (18,000) <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 51,000 129,000 <INCOME-PRETAX> (20,872,000) 58,000 (4,712,000) <INCOME-TAX> 5,299,000 1,159,000 (2,146,000) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (19,696,000) 3,285,000 (2,695,000) <DISCONTINUED> 255,000 2,395,000 5,050,000 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 0 <NET-INCOME> (19,441,000) 5,680,000 2,355,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.63) 0.61 0.30 <EPS-DILUTED> (1.63) 0.54 0.26