<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1996
<CASH>                                       1,729,541
<SECURITIES>                                29,160,084
<RECEIVABLES>                               17,775,722
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,588,951
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            56,804,148
<PP&E>                                      39,172,539
<DEPRECIATION>                              21,166,306
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             107,337,019
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       23,801,813
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     2,357,977
<OTHER-SE>                                  83,548,164
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               107,337,019
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            59,738,386
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               36,372,598
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            25,746,202
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (17,614)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (18,676)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,062
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,062
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .00