<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from American
Software Inc. Consolidated Financial Statements and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1995
<CASH>                                       2,264,552
<SECURITIES>                                32,970,741
<RECEIVABLES>                               19,337,225
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,779,029
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            61,143,139
<PP&E>                                      38,232,642
<DEPRECIATION>                              20,512,344
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             109,017,997
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       25,248,183
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                     2,357,944
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  84,304,518
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               109,017,997
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            42,365,912
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               24,110,132
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            18,186,209
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,275,146
<INCOME-TAX>                                   498,261
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            776,885
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   776,885
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .00