<ARTICLE>                     5

<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         177,327
<SECURITIES>                                    12,925
<RECEIVABLES>                                  247,054
<ALLOWANCES>                                    50,935
<INVENTORY>                                     18,677
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               428,096
<PP&E>                                         136,305
<DEPRECIATION>                                  52,882
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 564,845
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          185,236
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           538
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     379,071
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   564,845
<SALES>                                        480,975
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               480,975
<CGS>                                          239,473
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  239,473
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               186,859
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,083
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 160
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 63,547
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,241
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             41,306
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    42,597
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.77
<FN>
Net income includes minority interest in consolidated joint venture of ($1,291)
</FN>