<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AMERICAN
SOFTWARE, INC. CONSOLIDATED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1996             APR-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1995             MAY-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1996             APR-30-1995
<CASH>                                       1,947,249               1,228,461
<SECURITIES>                                24,207,169              31,276,773
<RECEIVABLES>                               16,259,452              18,323,947
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,200,000               1,906,284
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            46,054,329              61,971,996
<PP&E>                                      39,423,021              37,375,541
<DEPRECIATION>                              21,804,448              19,283,211
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              90,781,954             107,791,553
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       24,542,827              25,565,079
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                     2,360,599               2,357,037
<OTHER-SE>                                  61,894,799              71,679,775
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                90,781,954             107,791,553
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            77,557,085              79,461,652
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               55,904,178              50,306,527
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            36,982,103              42,742,929
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (12,759,892)            (11,342,476)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (3,010,555)             (4,653,314)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (9,749,337)             (6,689,162)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                               (9,749,337)             (6,689,162)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.44)                   (.30)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0