<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD
ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         123,070
<SECURITIES>                                   901,905
<RECEIVABLES>                                  228,202
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,402
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               464,974
<PP&E>                                         318,355
<DEPRECIATION>                                  93,959
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,694,866
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          431,132
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,173
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,053,107
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,694,866
<SALES>                                        532,241
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               744,910
<CGS>                                           76,624
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  461,651
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                318,991
<INCOME-TAX>                                    85,918
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            233,073
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   233,073
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.02