<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial statement information extracted from
Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 31, 1999 and 1998 and the Statement of
Operations for the years ended October 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997 and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000861179
<NAME> HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                             <C>                       <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                      YEAR                    YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999             OCT-31-1998             OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998             NOV-01-1997             NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1999             OCT-31-1998             OCT-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1                       1                       1
<CASH>                                          16,310                  13,883                  20,694
<SECURITIES>                                    17,507                  14,519                  18,386
<RECEIVABLES>                                   60,485                  56,846                  40,947
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,823                   1,853                   1,428
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                96,995                  89,756                  81,983
<PP&E>                                          30,375                  26,565                  25,302
<DEPRECIATION>                                  22,609                  19,878                  17,314
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 130,921                 117,802                 109,694
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           38,558                  33,053                  28,184
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                           184                     183                     178
<OTHER-SE>                                      91,048                  83,086                  79,628
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   130,921                 117,802                 109,694
<SALES>                                        114,055                 105,252                  89,517
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               114,055                 105,252                  89,517
<CGS>                                          102,918                  95,628                  88,355
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  102,918                  95,628                  88,355
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                     597                   (856)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   690                     838                     538
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 105                     102                      80
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,574                   9,957                   1,730
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,091                   3,869                   (351)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,297                   7,660                   (169)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,483                   6,088                   2,081
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.43                    0.35                    0.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.43                    0.34                    0.12


</TABLE>