<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AMERICAN
SOFTWARE, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                       2,790,956
<SECURITIES>                                19,075,422
<RECEIVABLES>                               16,758,082
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,429,495
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            41,887,075
<PP&E>                                      39,904,909
<DEPRECIATION>                              22,977,343
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              88,791,413
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       23,113,850
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     2,366,958
<OTHER-SE>                                  61,326,876
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                88,791,413
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            38,075,475
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               21,823,626
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            17,558,751
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (677,543)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    81,770
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (759,313)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (759,313)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (0.3)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0