<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HARBINGER CORPORATION FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          48,066
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,788
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,625
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                72,764
<PP&E>                                          20,506
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,557
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 100,724
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,527
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             2
<OTHER-SE>                                      74,197
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   100,724
<SALES>                                         20,307
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                58,199
<CGS>                                            2,520
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   15,441
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                62,531
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                (426)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (19,385)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,419
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  2,419
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (23,223)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.19)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.19)