<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
KANA COMMUNICATIONS, INC'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                                   JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                                     MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                                                18,414
<SECURITIES>                                                          17,254
<RECEIVABLES>                                                          9,595
<ALLOWANCES>                                                               0
<INVENTORY>                                                                0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                      47,587
<PP&E>                                                                12,776
<DEPRECIATION>                                                             0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                        64,359
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                 26,294
<BONDS>                                                                    0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                      0
<PREFERRED>                                                                0
<COMMON>                                                                  61
<OTHER-SE>                                                            37,642
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                          64,359
<SALES>                                                                7,329
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                      10,688
<CGS>                                                                    143
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                          4,175
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                      21,604
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                           0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                         0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                      (14,411)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                              37
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                  (14,448)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                            0
<CHANGES>                                                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                                                         (14,448)
<EPS-BASIC>                                                            (0.27)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                          (0.27)