<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 160,339 <SECURITIES> 2,727 <RECEIVABLES> 258,793 <ALLOWANCES> 56,543 <INVENTORY> 26,113 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 468,418 <PP&E> 172,011 <DEPRECIATION> 14,264 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 779,321 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 212,997 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 608 <OTHER-SE> 563,236 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 779,321 <SALES> 423,984 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 423,984 <CGS> 221,888 <TOTAL-COSTS> 221,888 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 228,591 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,966 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 32 <INCOME-PRETAX> (19,930) <INCOME-TAX> 1,372 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (21,302) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (21,573) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.36) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.36)