<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HARBINGER CORPORATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          13,706
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,732
<ALLOWANCES>                                       586
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                23,984
<PP&E>                                           7,472
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,785
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  47,332
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,114
<BONDS>                                          4,675
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        39,214
<OTHER-SE>                                     (13,858)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    47,332
<SALES>                                          2,084
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 7,162
<CGS>                                              485
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,781
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,528
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 102
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (8,224)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        49
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   $(8,301)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.80)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0