<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THE QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q OF BORLAND
INTERNATIONAL, INC. THE QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          81,679                  81,679
<SECURITIES>                                     1,793                   1,793
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,375                  21,375
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                        971                     971
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               112,982                 112,982
<PP&E>                                         103,244                 103,244
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 223,218                 223,218
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           76,112                  76,112
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           24,265                  24,265
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       318,983                 318,983
<OTHER-SE>                                    (218,283)               (218,283)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   223,218                 223,218
<SALES>                                         42,500                  84,470
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                42,500                  84,470
<CGS>                                            6,375                  12,731
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,375                  12,731
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                35,000                  70,505
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                (593)                   (764)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,718                   1,998
<INCOME-TAX>                                       200                     401
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,518                   1,597
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,518                   1,597
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .03                     .03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .03                     .03
        

</TABLE>