<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         123,697
<SECURITIES>                                    22,276
<RECEIVABLES>                                  146,678
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,970
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               325,904
<PP&E>                                          71,646
<DEPRECIATION>                                  37,962
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 458,935
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          273,616
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            52
<OTHER-SE>                                     182,396
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   458,935
<SALES>                                        125,367
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               125,367
<CGS>                                           50,523
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   50,523
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                43,325
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,072
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  17
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,835
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,793
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,042
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,042
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.19