<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SYBASE INC. AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND
FOR THE YEARS THEN ENDED.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                         230,765
<SECURITIES>                                    36,711
<RECEIVABLES>                                  218,789
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (20,595)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               501,163
<PP&E>                                         355,599
<DEPRECIATION>                               (298,286)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 869,526
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          397,933
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            91
<OTHER-SE>                                     576,190
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   869,526
<SALES>                                        335,911
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               699,923
<CGS>                                           32,934
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  183,054
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                98,930
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 354
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 65,382
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,768
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             36,614
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    36,614
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.40

<F1>REFLECTS BASIC EPS ACCORDING TO SFAS 128, EARNINGS PER SHARE