<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the September
30, 2000 financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000707606
<NAME> SYSTEMS & COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 49,161
<SECURITIES> 16,787
<RECEIVABLES> 144,642
<ALLOWANCES> 5,677
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 230,499
<PP&E> 120,568
<DEPRECIATION> 57,233
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 368,123
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 87,135
<BONDS> 79,551
0
0
<COMMON> 372
<OTHER-SE> 201,065
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 368,123
<SALES> 427,169
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 435,980
<CGS> 288,196
<TOTAL-COSTS> 410,170
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 5,761
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,612
<INCOME-PRETAX> 15,437
<INCOME-TAX> 6,809
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,628
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 8,628
<EPS-BASIC> 0.27
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.26
</TABLE>