<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HARBINGER CORPORATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER-30-1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          28,830
<SECURITIES>                                    31,367
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,141
<ALLOWANCES>                                       864
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                74,897
<PP&E>                                          19,355
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,843
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 121,254
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,454
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     23,089
<COMMON>                                       157,449
<OTHER-SE>                                    (93,626)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   121,254
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                52,474
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,265
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                30,839
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,099)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,099)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,099)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.31)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.31)