<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HYPERION SOFTWARE CORPORATION FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 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-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          89,773
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   73,157
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,100
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               165,361
<PP&E>                                          92,862
<DEPRECIATION>                                  38,239
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 241,076
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          100,600
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           233
<OTHER-SE>                                     132,645
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   241,076
<SALES>                                         69,230
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                69,230
<CGS>                                           24,112
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   63,058
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                38,946
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 104
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,812
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,312
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .22