<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S DECEMBER 31, 1996 UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN ITS FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          67,254
<SECURITIES>                                   425,061
<RECEIVABLES>                                   87,911
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,354
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               243,813
<PP&E>                                         162,118
<DEPRECIATION>                                  46,711
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 788,567
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          192,080
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                         1,050
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     507,665
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   788,567
<SALES>                                        268,644
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               402,610
<CGS>                                           40,793
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  257,176
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                159,667
<INCOME-TAX>                                    49,208
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            110,459
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   110,459
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.03