<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SYBASE INC. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND FOR
THE YEARS THEN ENDED.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                         250,103
<SECURITIES>                                    59,094
<RECEIVABLES>                                  214,160
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (31,452)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               522,655
<PP&E>                                         350,428
<DEPRECIATION>                               (282,841)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 737,335
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          395,426
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            83
<OTHER-SE>                                     432,352
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   737,335
<SALES>                                        421,645
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               871,633
<CGS>                                           46,241
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  587,988
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               196,620
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 282
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                100,798
<INCOME-TAX>                                    38,303
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             62,495
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    62,495
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.74