<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HARBINGER CORPORATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           4,106
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,790
<ALLOWANCES>                                       826
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                19,309
<PP&E>                                           9,959
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,498
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  42,216
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,382
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      28,496
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    42,216
<SALES>                                          8,934
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                28,397
<CGS>                                            1,478
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    7,322
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,885
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                (193)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (8,588)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        38
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (8,654)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.81)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0