<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF SUNGARD DATA SYSTEMS INC. AS OF MARCH
31, 1997 AND THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, BOTH INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE FORM 10-Q OF
SUNGARD DATA SYSTEMS INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          49,998
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  177,251
<ALLOWANCES>                                    12,729
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               250,224
<PP&E>                                         284,159
<DEPRECIATION>                                 169,955
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 707,361
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          218,421
<BONDS>                                          4,655
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           431
<OTHER-SE>                                     483,854
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   707,361
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               187,421
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  120,698<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0    
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 585
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,461
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,337
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             18,124
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    18,124
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.21<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.21<F2>
<FN>
<F1>EXCLUDES SELLING, MARKETING AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
<F2>REFLECTS SEPTEMBER 1997 TWO-FOR-ONE STOCK SPLIT.
</FN>