<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT 11.1


                           SUNGARD DATA SYSTEMS INC.
              STATEMENT RE COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS/(1)/
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)

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<CAPTION>

                                                                      Year Ended December 31,               
                                                            ------------------------------------------
                                                             1996               1995             1994     
                                                            -------            ------           ------     
<S>                                                         <C>                <C>              <C>        
PRIMARY:                                                                                                   
                                                                                                           
  Average common shares outstanding ......................   42,088            38,812           37,670     
                                                                                                           
  Dilutive stock options, net                                                                              
     of treasury shares ..................................      920               824              828     
                                                             ------           -------          -------     
                                                                                                           
  Adjusted common shares outstanding .....................   43,008            39,636           38,498     
                                                             ======           =======          =======     
                                                                                                           
  Net income .............................................  $34,901           $48,672          $43,087     
                                                            =======           =======          =======     
                                                                                                           
  Net income per common share ............................  $  0.81           $  1.23          $  1.12     
                                                            =======           =======          =======     
                                                                                                           
FULLY DILUTED:                                                                                             
                                                                                                           
  Average common shares outstanding ......................   42,088            38,812           37,670     
                                                                                                           
  Dilutive stock options, net                                                                              
     of treasury shares ..................................      973               856              832      
                                                             ------           -------          -------     
                                                                                                           
  Adjusted common shares outstanding .....................   43,061            39,668           38,502     
                                                             ======           =======          =======     
                                                                                                           
  Net income .............................................   34,901           $48,672          $43,087     
                                                             ======           =======          =======     
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                           
  Net income per common share ............................  $  0.81           $  1.23          $  1.12       
                                                            =======           =======          =======     
 
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(1)  All shares and per share amounts have been adjusted for a July 1995 
     two-for-one stock split.