<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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                       1,857,992
<SECURITIES>                                21,725,018
<RECEIVABLES>                               15,479,141
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,200,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            42,720,892
<PP&E>                                      39,788,059
<DEPRECIATION>                              22,434,891
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              89,342,275
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       24,196,487
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     2,304,133
<OTHER-SE>                                  60,797,926
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                89,342,275
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            18,126,022
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               10,723,462
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             8,725,245
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,203,160)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (1,203,160)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (1,203,160)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0