<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