<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF A.D.A.M. SOFTWARE INC., FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           5,297
<SECURITIES>                                     7,945
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,102
<ALLOWANCES>                                       806
<INVENTORY>                                        351
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                14,045
<PP&E>                                           2,259
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,379
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  15,488
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,403
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            52
<OTHER-SE>                                      13,033
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    15,488
<SALES>                                          1,961
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,961
<CGS>                                              655
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,423
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (3,911)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (3,911)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (3,911)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.74)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.74)