<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ADAM SOFTWARE, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           1,813
<SECURITIES>                                     9,996
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,319
<ALLOWANCES>                                       712
<INVENTORY>                                        448
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                12,977
<PP&E>                                           2,265
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,494
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  14,452
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,003
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            52
<OTHER-SE>                                      12,397
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    14,452
<SALES>                                          3,464
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,464
<CGS>                                              929
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    8,726
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   9
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (4,548)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (4,548)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (4,548)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.87)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.87)