<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 YEAR-TO-DATE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS REPORTED ON FORM 10-Q
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001014920
<NAME> OPTIKA INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-1-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 5,008
<SECURITIES> 10,532
<RECEIVABLES> 2,418
<ALLOWANCES> 86
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 19,326
<PP&E> 6,874
<DEPRECIATION> 3,964
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 22,417
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 7,276
<BONDS> 0
10,356
0
<COMMON> 8
<OTHER-SE> 4,777
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 22,417
<SALES> 4,130
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 12,230
<CGS> 382
<TOTAL-COSTS> 3,599
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 18,262
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> (9,480)
<INCOME-TAX> (2,966)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (12,446)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (12,446)
<EPS-BASIC> (2.28)
<EPS-DILUTED> (2.28)
</TABLE>