<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>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997             APR-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996             MAY-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1997             APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                           3,442                   1,947
<SECURITIES>                                    20,964                  24,207
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,273                  16,259
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,182                   1,200
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                48,318                  46,054
<PP&E>                                          41,647                  39,423
<DEPRECIATION>                                  24,244                  21,804
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  97,112                  90,782
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,826                  24,543
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         2,379                   2,361
<OTHER-SE>                                      67,152                  64,255
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    97,112                  90,782
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                84,711                  77,557
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   47,179                  51,823
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                35,851                  41,063
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,425                (12,760)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,093                 (3,011)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,332                 (9,749)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,332                 (9,749)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .10                   (.44)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0