<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000712515 <NAME> Electronic Arts Inc. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> USD <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2000 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1999 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1.000 <CASH> 224,344 <SECURITIES> 6,097 <RECEIVABLES> 330,516 <ALLOWANCES> 64,767 <INVENTORY> 23,878 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 635,397 <PP&E> 320,820 <DEPRECIATION> 105,141 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,003,610 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 260,690 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 630 <OTHER-SE> 739,111 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,003,610 <SALES> 525,007 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 525,007 <CGS> 261,569 <TOTAL-COSTS> 261,569 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 240,590 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,140 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 30,119 <INCOME-TAX> 9,638 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 20,481 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 20,458 <EPS-BASIC> 0.33 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.32