<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FTP
SOFTWARE INC'S. QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH REPORT ON FORM
10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          27,076
<SECURITIES>                                    20,857
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,787
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,300
<INVENTORY>                                        371
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                65,456
<PP&E>                                          31,823
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,893
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 104,710
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,188
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
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<COMMON>                                           339
<OTHER-SE>                                      76,183
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   104,710
<SALES>                                         39,988
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                53,332
<CGS>                                            9,786
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   17,698
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                89,987
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (51,849)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,208
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (53,057)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 (2,000)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (55,057)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.63)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.63)