<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1998 <CASH> 374,560 <SECURITIES> 3,721 <RECEIVABLES> 190,949 <ALLOWANCES> 51,575 <INVENTORY> 19,626 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 589,811 <PP&E> 131,310 <DEPRECIATION> 26,215 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 745,681 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 181,713 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 602 <OTHER-SE> 563,366 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 745,681 <SALES> 908,852 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 908,852 <CGS> 480,766 <TOTAL-COSTS> 480,766 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 344,637 <LOSS-PROVISION> 4,302 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,604 <INCOME-PRETAX> 108,260 <INCOME-TAX> 35,726 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 72,534 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 72,562 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.23 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.19