<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the September
30, 1998, 1997, and 1996 financial statements and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000707606
<NAME> SYSTEMS & COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY COPRPORATION
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                      18,942,000              29,809,000              12,303,000
<SECURITIES>                                59,364,000                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                              134,490,000             104,641,000              78,751,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 4,033,000               4,098,000               1,590,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           222,624,000             138,825,000              99,672,000
<PP&E>                                      89,380,000              68,777,000              57,210,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              33,518,000              28,067,000              21,988,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             332,954,000             209,704,000             163,259,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       71,607,000              55,608,000              32,283,000
<BONDS>                                     78,425,000               2,549,000              31,590,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                       363,000                 352,000                 304,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 182,559,000             150,073,000              96,492,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               332,954,000             209,704,000             163,259,000
<SALES>                                    398,254,000             289,428,000             214,569,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           403,668,000             290,046,000             215,258,000
<CGS>                                      250,901,000             178,156,000             142,984,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              361,448,000             250,209,000             196,905,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,988,000               1,220,000               2,350,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             38,232,000              38,617,000              16,003,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                16,858,000              15,726,000               6,884,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         21,374,000              22,891,000               9,119,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                21,374,000              22,891,000               9,119,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.64                    0.76                    0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.59                    0.69                    0.31
        





</TABLE>