<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Cadence
Design Systems, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April
4, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-04-1998
<CASH>                                         179,215
<SECURITIES>                                   113,258
<RECEIVABLES>                                  203,222
<ALLOWANCES>                                    18,580
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               571,410
<PP&E>                                         371,148
<DEPRECIATION>                                 153,078
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,030,226
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          247,500
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       455,094
<OTHER-SE>                                     295,115
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,030,226
<SALES>                                        270,223
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               270,223
<CGS>                                           62,334
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   62,334
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               213,430
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 426
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,922)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,537
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (25,459)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (25,459)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.12)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.12)