<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
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         161,770
<SECURITIES>                                    20,520
<RECEIVABLES>                                  166,803
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,168
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               383,164
<PP&E>                                          82,026
<DEPRECIATION>                                  43,062
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 550,375
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          298,272
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            53
<OTHER-SE>                                     245,935
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   550,375
<SALES>                                        370,841
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               370,841
<CGS>                                          144,256
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  144,256
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               136,604
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,111
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  22
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 95,208
<INCOME-TAX>                                    39,511
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             55,697
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    55,697
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.55