<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF SUNGARD DATA SYSTEMS INC. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996,
BOTH INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE FORM 10-K OF SUNGARD DATA SYSTEMS INC.
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          46,072
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  168,637
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,391
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               236,457
<PP&E>                                         267,737
<DEPRECIATION>                                 158,214
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 679,318
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          210,266
<BONDS>                                          4,414
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           423
<OTHER-SE>                                     464,215
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   679,318
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               670,309
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  424,037<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                51,083<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,224
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 63,569
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,668
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             34,901
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    34,901
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.41<F3>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.41<F3>
<FN>
<F1>EXCLUDES SELLING, MARKETING AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, AND PURCHASED IN-
PROCESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS.
<F2>PURCHASED IN-PROCESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS.
<F3>INCLUDES PURCHASED IN-PROCESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS TOTALING $0.39
PER DILUTED SHARE AND $0.40 PER BASIC SHARE. ALSO REFLECTS SEPTEMBER 1997 TWO-
FOR-ONE STOCK SPLIT.
</FN>