<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HYPERION SOFTWARE CORPORATION FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> U.S.DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          41,401
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   52,686
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,900
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                95,756
<PP&E>                                          79,396
<DEPRECIATION>                                  23,907
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 177,614
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           73,499
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           214
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      92,453
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   177,614
<SALES>                                         45,987
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                45,987
<CGS>                                           16,215
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   42,987
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                26,772
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  83
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,291
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,250
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,041
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .11