<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> APR-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 240,725 <SECURITIES> 9,195 <RECEIVABLES> 186,528 <ALLOWANCES> 43,514 <INVENTORY> 20,299 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 446,432 <PP&E> 104,447 <DEPRECIATION> 13,341 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 605,230 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 149,003 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 587 <OTHER-SE> 455,640 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 605,230 <SALES> 313,540 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 313,540 <CGS> 165,953 <TOTAL-COSTS> 165,953 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 155,474 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,111 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 94 <INCOME-PRETAX> (2,195) <INCOME-TAX> (757) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,438) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (1,410) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.02) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.02)