<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
COMPANY'S UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1999.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                         307,033
<SECURITIES>                                   851,337
<RECEIVABLES>                                  607,738
<ALLOWANCES>                                    34,868
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               906,276
<PP&E>                                         458,478
<DEPRECIATION>                                 162,324
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,861,161
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,048,128
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,413
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,526,757
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,861,161
<SALES>                                        562,367
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               816,463
<CGS>                                           78,149
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  745,918
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                13,430
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,140
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 91,316
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,130
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             75,186
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    75,186
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.30