<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 2, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> NOV-02-1997 <CASH> 222 <SECURITIES> 1,393 <RECEIVABLES> 1,378 <ALLOWANCES> 28 <INVENTORY> 301 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,607 <PP&E> 456 <DEPRECIATION> 155 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3,921 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 2,379 <BONDS> 17 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 627 <OTHER-SE> 580 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3,921 <SALES> 8,590 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 8,590 <CGS> 6,691 <TOTAL-COSTS> 6,691 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 148<F1> <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2 <INCOME-PRETAX> 955 <INCOME-TAX> 296 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 659 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 659 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.81 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.81 <FN> <F1>Includes research, development and engineering expenses. </FN>