<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MELITA INTERNATIONAL FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           5,807
<SECURITIES>                                    23,735
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,856
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (6,651)
<INVENTORY>                                      1,556
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                46,659
<PP&E>                                           4,537
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  51,234
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,431
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            69
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,734
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    51,234
<SALES>                                         47,127
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                47,127
<CGS>                                           18,205
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   18,205
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                20,915
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                (336)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,343
<INCOME-TAX>                                       212
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,131
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,131
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .59