<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
OBJECT DESIGN, INC.
Financial Data Schedule
                                                                    Exhibit 27.1
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                 DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                    JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                      JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                             1
<CASH>                                                                 16,373
<SECURITIES>                                                            3,967
<RECEIVABLES>                                                          14,168
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              692
<INVENTORY>                                                                 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                       34,594
<PP&E>                                                                 12,077
<DEPRECIATION>                                                          7,953
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                         41,646
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                  11,605
<BONDS>                                                                    36
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                                 0
<COMMON>                                                                   28
<OTHER-SE>                                                             29,977
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                           41,646
<SALES>                                                                20,818
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                       28,628
<CGS>                                                                     792
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                           6,040
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                       21,842
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                            0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                          0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                         1,176
<INCOME-TAX>                                                              117
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                     1,059
<DISCONTINUED>                                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                             0
<CHANGES>                                                                   0
<NET-INCOME>                                                            1,059
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                            0.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                            0.04
        




</TABLE>