AUTODESK INC
10-Q/A, 1997-03-03
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>
 
================================================================================

                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                              -------------------
                                  FORM 10-Q/A
                              -------------------
 

(Mark One)
 X   Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
- ---  Act of 1934                                                  
     
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996

                                       OR

     Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
- ---  Exchange Act of 1934

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-14338


                                 AUTODESK, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              DELAWARE                           94-2819853
   (State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)             Identification No.)

                              111 MCINNIS PARKWAY
                          SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA 94903
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                        TELEPHONE NUMBER (415) 507-5000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days:

               Yes     X                   No  
                     -----                      -----  

     As of December 13, 1996, there were 44,882,000 shares of the Registrant's
Common Stock outstanding.


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                                 AUTODESK, INC.

                                     INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                                                    Page No.
                                                                    --------
<S>                                                                 <C>
ITEM 1.  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

         Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
         Three and Nine months ended October 31, 1996 and 1995...       3
                                                                    
         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet                       
         October 31, 1996 and January 31, 1996...................       4
                                                                    
         Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows             
         Nine months ended October 31, 1996 and 1995.............       6
                                                                    
         Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements....       8
                                                                    
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
         AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS...............................       9
</TABLE>

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                          PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

<S>                                                                 <C>
ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.......................................      16
                                                                   
ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K........................      16
                                                                   
         SIGNATURES..............................................      17
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- ------------------------------
ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 AUTODESK, INC.
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                     (In thousands, except per share data)
                                  (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Three months ended     Nine months ended
                                          October 31,           October 31,
                                      -------------------   -------------------
                                        1996       1995       1996       1995
                                      --------   --------   --------   --------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues                              $119,735   $131,779   $391,542   $417,503
 
Direct commissions                       3,088      3,242      9,869      9,622
                                      --------   --------   --------   --------
Net revenues                           116,647    128,537    381,673    407,881
 
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of revenues                      15,220     16,118     49,134     50,765
 
  Marketing and sales                   50,233     46,246    150,125    137,144
 
  Research and development              23,662     19,584     69,471     58,246
 
  General and administrative            18,521     18,543     55,455     56,375
 
  Charge for acquired in-process
   research and development              1,509          -      4,738          -
                                      --------   --------   --------   --------
                                       109,145    100,491    328,923    302,530
                                      --------   --------   --------   --------

Income from operations                   7,502     28,046     52,750    105,351
 
Interest and other income, net           1,604      2,201      4,471      7,252
                                      --------   --------   --------   --------
Income before income taxes               9,106     30,247     57,221    112,603
 
Provision for income taxes               3,233     11,040     21,643     41,120
                                      --------   --------   --------   --------
Net income                            $  5,873   $ 19,207   $ 35,578   $ 71,483
                                      ========   ========   ========   ========

Net income per share                  $    .13   $    .38   $    .75   $   1.41
                                      ========   ========   ========   ========

Shares used in computing
  net income per share                  45,410     50,180     47,480     50,520
                                      ========   ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>



                            See accompanying notes.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                AUTODESK, INC.
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                    ASSETS
                                (In thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                October 31, 1996    January 31, 1996
                                                                -----------------   -----------------
                                                                   (Unaudited)          (Audited)
<S>                                                             <C>                 <C>
 
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                             $ 87,759            $129,305

  Marketable securities                                                   72,842              64,001

  Accounts receivable, net                                                86,384              93,919

  Inventories                                                              9,012               9,685

  Deferred income taxes                                                   26,791              33,769

  Prepaid expenses and other current assets                               16,086              17,155
                                                                        --------            --------

    Total current assets                                                 298,874             347,834
                                                                        --------            --------

Marketable securities, including a restricted balance
  of $28,000 at October 31, 1996 and January 31, 1996                     93,265              79,096

Computer equipment, furniture, and leasehold improvements:
  Computer equipment and furniture                                       104,574             106,643

  Leasehold improvements                                                  19,574              21,100

  Accumulated depreciation                                               (75,794)            (78,778)
                                                                        --------            --------
    Net computer equipment, furniture, and
     leasehold improvements                                               48,354              48,965

Capitalized software and purchased technologies                           17,768              22,141

Other assets                                                              18,902              19,893
                                                                        --------            --------
                                                                        $477,163            $517,929
                                                                        ========            ========
</TABLE>

                            See accompanying notes.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                AUTODESK, INC.
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                (In thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               October 31, 1996    January 31, 1996
                                               -----------------   -----------------
                                                  (Unaudited)          (Audited)
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                                     $ 22,486            $ 24,547

  Accrued compensation                                   18,258              22,441

  Accrued income taxes                                   62,774              65,517

  Other accrued liabilities                              34,082              31,790
                                                       --------            --------
    Total current liabilities                           137,600             144,295
                                                       --------            --------
 
Deferred income taxes                                       275               1,912

Litigation accrual                                       29,021              27,640

Other liabilities                                         1,907               1,754

Put warrants                                             64,500                   -

Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock                                          141,472             140,765

  Retained earnings                                     103,640             191,109

  Foreign currency translation adjustment                (1,252)             10,454
                                                       --------            --------
    Total stockholders' equity                          243,860             342,328
                                                       --------            --------
                                                       $477,163            $517,929
                                                       ========            ========
</TABLE>


                            See accompanying notes.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                AUTODESK, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                (In thousands)
                                  (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Nine months ended
                                                                                            October  31,
                                                                                        ---------------------
                                                                                          1996        1995
                                                                                        ---------   ---------
<S>                                                                                     <C>         <C>
Operating activities
 Net income                                                                             $ 35,578    $ 71,483
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by 
  operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization                                                          24,998      20,195
   Charge for acquired in-process research and development                                 4,738           -
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of
    business combinations                                                                  6,960      (9,629)
                                                                                        --------    --------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                                 72,274      82,049
                                                                                        --------    --------
 
Investing activities
 Purchases of available-for-sale marketable securities, net                              (23,010)    (55,141)
 Purchases of computer equipment, furniture and leasehold 
  improvements                                                                           (15,304)    (13,987)
 Business combinations, net of cash acquired                                              (9,653)     (7,194)
 Capitalization of software costs and other                                               (8,338)     16,936
                                                                                        --------    --------
Net cash used in investing activities                                                    (56,305)    (59,386)
                                                                                        --------    --------
 
Financing activities
 Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                                   17,643      44,419
 Repurchase of common stock                                                              (67,045)    (81,314)
 Dividends paid                                                                           (8,113)     (8,498)
                                                                                        --------    --------
Net cash used in financing activities                                                    (57,515)    (45,393)
                                                                                        --------    --------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                                (41,546)    (22,730)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                           129,305     195,038
                                                                                        --------    --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter                                             $ 87,759    $172,308
                                                                                        ========    ========
</TABLE>

                            See accompanying notes.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                 AUTODESK, INC.
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. The condensed consolidated financial statements at October 31, 1996 and for
   the three- and nine-month periods then ended are unaudited and reflect all
   adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in
   the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial
   position and operating results for the interim periods.  The condensed
   consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
   consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, together with
   management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
   operations, contained in the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders
   incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
   fiscal year ended January 31, 1996.  The results of operations for the three
   and nine months ended October 31, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the
   results for the entire fiscal year ending January 31, 1997.

2. During the nine months ended October 31, 1996, the Company acquired assets
   from Creative Imaging Technologies, Inc. ("CIT"), CadZooks, Inc., Argus
   Technologies, Inc. ("Argus"), as well as the outstanding stock of Teleos
   Research ("Teleos").  The aggregate cash purchase price for these four
   transactions was $9.7 million.  These acquisitions were accounted for using
   the purchase method of accounting with the purchase price being principally
   allocated to capitalized software, purchased technologies, and intangible
   assets.  Approximately $3.2 million of the Teleos purchase price and $1.5
   million of the Argus purchase price represented the value of in-process
   research and development that had not yet reached technological feasibility
   and had no alternative future use. These amounts were charged to operations
   during the nine-month period ended October 31, 1996. Additional consideration
   may also be payable to the former shareholders of CIT, Argus, and Teleos
   based on product milestones and operating results which are expected to be
   allocated to intangible assets and amortized on a straight-line basis over
   two-to-five year periods.

   The operating results of the acquired entities, which have not been material
   in relation to those of the Company, have been included in the consolidated
   financial results from their respective acquisition dates.

3. In August 1996, the Company announced a stock repurchase program under which
   the Company may purchase up to 5 million shares of common stock in open
   market transactions as market and business conditions warrant.  The Company
   may also utilize equity options as part of its repurchase program.  This
   program is in addition to shares previously reserved pursuant to an on-going
   and systematic repurchase plan to reduce the dilutive effect of common stock
   to be issued under the Company's stock option plans.

   In connection with the new repurchase program, the Company sold put warrants
   to an independent third party in September 1996 that entitle the holder of
   the warrants to sell 3 million shares of common stock to the Company at
   $21.50 per share.  Additionally, the Company purchased call options that
   entitle the Company to buy 2 million shares of its common stock at $25.50 per
   share.  The put warrants and call options expire in September 1997.  The
   premiums received with respect to the equity options totaled $8.1 million and
   equaled the premiums paid.  Consequently, there was no exchange of cash.  The
   amount related to the Company's maximum potential repurchase obligation under
   the put warrants has been reclassified from stockholders' equity to put
   warrants at October 31, 1996.  The Company has the right to settle the put
   warrants with stock or a cash settlement equal to the difference between the
   exercise price and market value at the date of exercise.  These securities
   had no significant dilutive effect on net income per share for the periods
   presented.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                                 AUTODESK, INC.
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4  On December 10, 1996, the Company entered into a merger agreement with
   Softdesk, Inc. ("Softdesk"), a leading supplier of AutoCAD-based application
   software for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) market, in
   a transaction anticipated to be accounted for as using the purchase method.
   The terms of the merger agreement were subsequently amended on December 19,
   1996. If the transaction is consummated under the terms of the agreement,
   Autodesk will issue $15.00 worth of its common stock for each outstanding
   share of Softdesk stock, subject to adjustment based on the average closing
   price of Autodesk's common stock over a specified period preceding the
   closing date of the transaction. Based upon closing stock prices on December
   13, 1996, the transaction is valued at approximately $90 million for Softdesk
   shareholders.

   The merger is expected to close in the first calendar quarter of 1997. The
   merger is subject to the approval of Softdesk's stockholders and appropriate
   government agencies. The Company estimates that it will incur direct
   transaction costs associated with this merger in the range of approximately
   $2.5 million to $3.5 million. At closing, this transaction is expected to
   result in one time charges of approximately $50 million to $60 million with
   respect to in-process research and development based on the preliminary
   purchase price allocation. Following this merger, the Company also expects to
   incur approximately $3 million for personnel redeployment and related costs.
   In addition, the Company expects to incur additional expenses of
   approximately $3 million to $4 million with regard to integrating the two
   companies. There can be no assurance that the Company will not incur
   additional material charges in subsequent quarters to reflect additional
   costs associated with the merger.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
         AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The forward-looking statements included in Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which reflect management's
best judgment based on factors currently known, involve risks and uncertainties.
Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-
looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited
to those discussed below.  Forward-looking information provided by Autodesk
pursuant to the safe harbor established by recent securities legislation should
be evaluated in the context of these factors.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended October 31, 1996 and 1995
- --------------------------------------------

Net revenues.  Autodesk's worldwide net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal
year 1997 were $116.6 million compared to $128.5 million in the prior fiscal
year, a decrease of 9 percent.  The lower revenues resulted principally from
lower unit shipments of AutoCAD and AutoCAD updates as the current version,
AutoCAD Release 13, which began shipping in the fourth quarter of fiscal year
1995, experiences a slowdown in sales as it enters the latter stages of its life
cycle. Net revenues by geography for the third fiscal quarter were $46.3
million, $26.6 million, and $43.7 million in the Americas, Asia/Pacific, and
Europe, respectively.  Third quarter revenues in fiscal year 1997 as compared to
the same period in the prior fiscal year were also adversely impacted by
approximately $2.5 million resulting principally from the stronger value of the
dollar relative to foreign currencies, most notably the Japanese yen and the
German mark.  These decreases were partially offset by higher sales of new and
enhanced products introduced during the current fiscal year, including Autodesk
Mechanical Desktop, Autodesk Map, and AutoCAD LT for Windows 95.  Third quarter
net revenues in fiscal year 1997 as compared to fiscal year 1996 decreased by 9
percent and 18 percent in the Americas and Europe, respectively, resulting from
lower shipments of AutoCAD and AutoCAD updates.  Revenues derived from AutoCAD
and AutoCAD updates represented approximately 65 percent of consolidated
revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 1997 as compared to approximately
75 percent in the same period of the prior fiscal year.  Revenue decreases
included reductions in the US dealer channel as well as reductions in Germany
and Switzerland.  Partially offsetting the decreases in Europe and the Americas
was an 8 percent increase in Asia/Pacific revenues.  The increase posted in
Asia/Pacific resulted primarily from revenue increases in Japan and South Korea
from sales of AutoCAD LT and the Company's multimedia and mechanical product
offerings which were partially offset by lower AutoCAD shipments.  International
sales, including exports from the US, accounted for approximately 63 percent of
the Company's revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 1997 as compared to
64 percent for the third quarter of fiscal year 1996.

The Company believes that net revenues in the coming quarters will be negatively
impacted by a slowdown in sales of AutoCAD and related updates as AutoCAD
Release 13 nears the end of its product life cycle.  As a result, AutoCAD
revenues are expected to continue to decline as a percentage of consolidated
revenues. While the Company expects that new products introduced in recent
quarters, including 3D Studio MAX, AutoCAD LT for Windows 95, Autodesk Map, and
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop, will partially offset the decrease in AutoCAD
revenues, the Company currently does not anticipate revenue growth on a
sequential basis in the quarter ending January 31, 1997. The Company
anticipates, however, that following the commencement of shipping the next
release of AutoCAD, which is currently anticipated to occur in the first half of
the fiscal year ending January 31, 1998, AutoCAD sales will increase as a
percentage of consolidated revenues.  While the Company has anticipated a
slowdown in AutoCAD revenues based on historical experiences and known market
conditions, any variations from the Company's current expectations may have a
material impact on the Company's financial results.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Delays in the introduction of the next version of AutoCAD or other new and
enhanced products planned for the coming quarters, or failure to achieve
significant customer acceptance for these new products may have a material
adverse effect on the Company's revenues and consolidated results of operations
in future periods.  Additionally, continued slowdowns in the Americas,
particularly in the US, and in various European markets including Germany and
Italy, could also have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and
consolidated results of operations.

The foregoing forward-looking information is based upon current expectations of
the Company.  Actual results could differ materially for the reasons noted and
due to other risks, including but not limited to those mentioned above and
otherwise discussed under "Certain Factors Which May Impact Future Operating
Results," page 12.

Cost of revenues.  Cost of revenues as a percentage of net revenues increased
approximately one-half percent in the third quarter of fiscal 1997 as compared
to the third quarter of the prior fiscal year.  Gross margins in the current
quarter were adversely impacted by the mix of products sales and to a lesser
extent, the impact of increased fixed costs on a lower net revenue base.
Revenues from commercial versions of AutoCAD, which historically have yielded a
higher gross margin than many of the Company's other commercial products,
decreased as a percentage of consolidated revenues.  Similarly, AutoCAD LT,
which has a lower gross margin than AutoCAD commercial versions, increased as a
percentage of total revenues.  In the future, cost of revenues as a percentage
of net revenues may be impacted by the mix of product sales, royalty rates for
licensed technology embedded in the Company's products, and the geographic
distribution of sales.

Marketing and sales.  Marketing and sales expenses increased from 36 percent of
net revenues in the third quarter of fiscal year 1996 to 43 percent in the third
quarter of fiscal year 1997.  Actual spending increased 9 percent as a result of
higher employee costs as well as marketing and sales costs associated with the
launch of AutoCAD LT for Windows 95, and AutoCAD Map Release 1.0.  The Company
expects to continue to invest in marketing and sales of its products, to develop
market opportunities, and to promote Autodesk's competitive position.
Accordingly, the Company expects marketing and sales expenses to continue to be
significant, both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of net revenues.

Research and development.  Research and development expenses as a percentage of
net revenues for the third quarter of fiscal year 1997 increased to 20 percent
from 15 percent in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year.  Actual research
and development spending increased by 21 percent in absolute dollars on a year
over year basis due to the addition of software engineers and increased
personnel costs, costs associated with the development of new and enhanced
products, including the next release of AutoCAD, and the translation of certain
of these products into foreign languages.  The Company anticipates that research
and development expenses will increase in fiscal year 1997 over the prior fiscal
year as a result of acquisitions and product development efforts by the
Company's market groups.  Additionally, the Company intends to continue
recruiting and hiring experienced software developers and to consider the
licensing and acquisition of complementary software technologies and businesses.

General and administrative.  General and administrative expenses were 16 percent
of net revenues in the third quarter of the current fiscal year as compared to
14 percent in the same period of fiscal year 1996.  Actual spending remained
flat between the periods and reflect increased costs associated with recent
acquisitions offset by lower professional fees.  The Company currently expects
that general and administrative expenses will increase moderately in future
periods to support spending on infrastructure, including continued investment in
Autodesk's worldwide information systems, and to a lesser extent, as a result of
recent acquisitions. During the quarter ending January 31, 1997, the Company
expects to incur $500,000 to $1,000,000 in expenses associated with its merger
agreement with Softdesk, Inc., a leading supplier of AutoCAD-based application
software for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) market.  This
transaction, which is anticipated to be accounted for as a pooling of interests,
is expected to close in the first calendar quarter of 1997.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
Charge for acquired in-process research and development. In August 1996, the
Company acquired for cash certain assets of Argus Technologies, Inc. ("Argus"),
a Canadian Company engaged in the development of mapping software and geographic
information systems technology for use on the Internet and corporate intranets.
The acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting
with the purchase price being principally allocated to capitalized software and
purchased technologies, and intangible assets.  Approximately $1.5 million of
the total purchase price represented the value of in-process research and
development that had not yet reached technological feasibility and had no
alternative future use and was charged to the Company's operating expenses in
the third quarter of fiscal year 1997.

The results of Argus have been included in the Company's consolidated financial
results from the acquisition date.  In the near term, the Company expects the
operating expenses associated with the Argus acquisition and other acquisitions
completed during fiscal year 1997 will exceed revenues, resulting in a negative
impact of up to $0.02 per share in the fourth quarter of the current fiscal
year.

Interest and other income.  Interest and other income in the third quarter of
fiscal year 1997 was $1.6 million, including foreign currency gains of
approximately $76,000, compared to $2.2 million in the same quarter of the prior
fiscal year, which included foreign currency losses of approximately $92,000.
Interest income for the third quarter of fiscal year 1997 was $2.1 million, a
decrease of approximately $.6 million from the same period in the prior fiscal
year resulting from lower average cash balances and lower interest rates on the
Company's international investment portfolio when compared to the same period in
the prior fiscal year.

Provision for income taxes.  The Company's effective income tax rate was 35.5
percent in the third quarter of fiscal year 1997 as compared to 36.5 percent in
the same quarter of the prior fiscal year.  The decrease in the effective income
tax rate is principally attributable to increased foreign earnings which are
taxed at rates lower than the US statutory rate.

Nine Months Ended October 31, 1996 and 1995
- -------------------------------------------

Net revenues.  Autodesk's net revenues for the nine months ended October 31,
1996 were $381.7 million which represented a 6 percent decrease from the same
period of the prior fiscal year.  The decrease resulted from revenue decreases
in the Americas and Europe of 14 percent and 6 percent respectively, reflecting
slowdowns in the US dealer channel, Germany, Switzerland, and France.  The
reductions reflect lower sales of AutoCAD and AutoCAD updates as the current
release enters the end of its product life cycle, as well as a general slowdown
in the German market and its impact on other European economies.  Net revenues
for the first nine months of fiscal year 1997 were also negatively affected by
approximately $14.0 million due to changes in foreign exchange rates when
compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year primarily due to changes in
the exchange rates of the Japanese yen and German mark, partially offset by
favorable variances in the Italian lire and Swedish krona.  The decreased
revenues as compared to the prior fiscal year were partially offset by revenues
from new and enhanced products introduced during fiscal year 1997, most notably
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop, AutoCAD LT for Windows 95, Autodesk Map, and 3D
Studio MAX.

For the three- and nine- month periods in fiscal year 1996 ended October 31,
1995, product returns which are accounted for as a reduction of revenues, were
11 percent and 9 percent of consolidated net revenues, respectively.  For the
comparable periods in fiscal year 1997, product returns were 8 percent and 9
percent of consolidated net revenues.  While the Company experienced a decrease
in product returns in absolute dollars during the first nine months of fiscal
year 1997, management anticipates that product returns in future periods will
continue to be impacted by product update cycles, new product releases, and
software quality.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
Cost of revenues.  Cost of revenues as a percentage of net revenues for the nine
months ended October 31, 1996 was 13 percent as compared to 12 percent for the
same period of the prior fiscal year.  The increase resulted from increased
royalty payments associated with Autodesk Mechanical Desktop and 3D Studio MAX,
as well as a higher percentage of revenues from AutoCAD LT which has a lower
gross margin than many of the Company's other commercial products.

Operating expenses.  Operating expenses for the Company's marketing and sales,
research and development, and general and administrative functions for the nine
months ended October 31, 1996 increased approximately 11 percent to $279.8
million as compared to $251.8 million for the same period of the prior fiscal
year. The growth in operating expenses from the prior fiscal year was due to
increased headcount, higher spending to support the marketing and development of
new and enhanced products, expenditures to support the Company's market group
structure, and increased spending in order to support the Company's increased
operations and related infrastructure.

Operating expenses for the first three quarters of fiscal year 1997 also
included charges of $4.7 million for acquired in-process research and
development associated with the Teleos and Argus acquisitions.

Interest and other income.  Interest and other income for the nine months ended
October 31, 1996 was $4.5 million as compared to $7.3 million in the same period
of the prior fiscal year.  Interest income was $5.3 million for the first nine
months of fiscal year 1997 as compared to $8.2 million in the same period of the
prior fiscal year.  The decrease in interest income from the same period of the
prior fiscal year resulted from lower average cash balances and lower interest
rates on the Company's international investment portfolio.

Income taxes.  The Company's effective income tax rate was 37.8 percent for the
nine-month period ended October 31, 1996 as compared to 36.5 percent in the same
period of the prior fiscal year.  The increase in the effective income tax rate
resulted from a one-time charge for acquired in-process research and development
recorded in the second quarter of fiscal year 1997 associated with the Teleos
acquisition which is not deductible for income tax purposes, partially offset by
a reduction in the effective income tax rate attributable to increased foreign
earnings which are taxed at rates lower than the US statutory rate.


CERTAIN RISK FACTORS WHICH MAY IMPACT FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS

Autodesk operates in a rapidly changing environment that involves a number of
risks, some of which are beyond the Company's control.  The following discussion
highlights some of these risks and the possible impact of these factors on
future results of operations.

Fluctuations in quarterly operating results.  The Company has experienced
fluctuations in operating results in interim periods in certain geographic
regions due to seasonality and general economic conditions in these markets.
The Company's operating results in Europe during the third fiscal quarter are
usually impacted by a slow summer period while the Asia/Pacific operations
typically experience seasonal slowing in the third and fourth fiscal quarters.

The Company typically receives and fulfills a majority of its orders within the
quarter, with a substantial portion occurring in the third month of the fiscal
quarter.  As a result, the Company may not learn of revenue shortfalls until
late in a fiscal quarter.  Additionally, the Company's operating expenses are
based in part on its expectations for future revenues and are relatively fixed
in the short term.  Any revenue shortfall below expectations could have an
immediate and significant adverse effect on results of operations.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Similarly, shortfalls in Autodesk's revenues or earnings from levels expected by
securities analysts could have an immediate and significant adverse effect on
the trading price of the Company's common stock.  Moreover, the Company's stock
price is subject to the volatility generally associated with software and
technology stocks and may also be affected by broader market trends unrelated to
the Company's performance.

Product concentration.  Autodesk derives a substantial portion of its revenues
from sales of AutoCAD, AutoCAD updates, and adjacent computer-aided design
("CAD") products which are interoperable with AutoCAD.  As such, any factor
adversely affecting sales of AutoCAD and AutoCAD updates, including such factors
as product life cycle, market acceptance, product performance and reliability,
reputation, price competition, and the availability of third-party applications,
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and consolidated
results of operations and financial condition.  The current version of AutoCAD,
Release 13, is entering the latter stages of its product life cycle which is
expected to result in lower AutoCAD sales and unit shipments in future periods.
While the Company has anticipated a slowdown in AutoCAD revenues based on
historical experiences and known market conditions, any variations from the
Company's current expectations may have a material impact on the Company's
financial results.

A substantial portion of the Company's CAD sales, including sales of AutoCAD and
AutoCAD updates, are used by the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
("AEC") industry.  The Company's product sales to the AEC markets, particularly
in the US and in various European markets, including Germany, France, and Italy,
relative to prior periods, have slowed due in part to general market conditions
and short-term growth is not anticipated for these markets. Contraction in the
AEC industry in other markets where the Company operates or a greater than
anticipated slowdown in the US and Europe could have a material adverse effect
on Autodesk's business and consolidated results of operations in future periods.

Product development and introduction. The software products offered by the
Company are internally complex and, despite extensive testing and quality
control, may contain errors or defects ("bugs"), especially when first
introduced.  In fiscal year 1996, the Company experienced quality and
performance issues associated with AutoCAD Release 13 including issues relating
to compatibility with certain hardware platforms and peripheral equipment,
interoperability problems with products designed to work in conjunction with
AutoCAD Release 13, and other issues associated with the software's object-
oriented design.  These factors resulted in a high rate of product returns in
fiscal year 1996.  While the Company believes the AutoCAD Release 13 performance
issues have been satisfactorily addressed, there can be no assurance that
defects or errors will not be discovered in future releases of AutoCAD and other
software products offered by the Company.  Such defects or errors could result
in corrective releases to the Company's software products, damage to the
Company's reputation, loss of revenues, an increase in product returns, or lack
of market acceptance of its products, any of which could have a material and
adverse effect on the Company's business and consolidated results of operations.

The software industry is characterized by rapid technological change as well as
changes in customer requirements and preferences.  The Company believes that its
future results will depend largely upon its ability to offer products that
compete favorably with respect to price, reliability, performance, range of
useful features, continuing product enhancements, reputation, and training.
Delays or difficulties, including the discovery of product defects similar to
those experienced with AutoCAD Release 13, may result in the delay or
cancellation of planned development projects and could have a material and
adverse effect on the Company's business and consolidated results of operations.
Further, increased competition in the market for design, multimedia, data
management, or data publishing software products could also have a negative
impact on the Company's business and consolidated results of operations.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
Certain of the Company's product development activities are performed by
independent firms and contractors while other technologies are licensed from
third parties.  Autodesk generally either owns or has an exclusive license for
use of the software developed by third parties.  Because talented development
personnel are in high demand, there can be no assurance that independent
developers, including those who have developed products for the Company in the
past, will be able to provide development support to Autodesk in the future.
Similarly, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain and
renew license agreements on favorable terms, if at all, and any failure to do so
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and consolidated
results of operations.

International revenues.  The Company anticipates that international revenues
will continue to account for a significant portion of its consolidated revenues.
Risks inherent in the Company's international sales include the following:
unexpected changes in regulatory practices and tariffs; difficulties in staffing
and managing foreign operations; longer collection cycles; potential changes in
tax laws; greater difficulty in protecting intellectual property; and the impact
of fluctuating exchange rates between the US dollar and foreign currencies in
markets where Autodesk does business.  During the first nine months of the
current fiscal year, changes in exchange rates from the same period of the prior
fiscal year have adversely impacted revenues principally due to changes in the
Japanese yen and Germany mark.  The Company's international results may also be
impacted by general economic and political conditions in these foreign markets
including a current slowdown in the German market and its adverse impact on
other European markets where the Company operates.  There can be no assurance
that these and other factors will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's future international sales and consequently on the Company's business
and consolidated results of operations.

Dependence on distribution channels.  The Company sells its software products
primarily to distributors and dealers (value-added resellers or "VARs").
Autodesk's ability to effectively distribute its products depends in part upon
the financial and business condition of its VAR network.  Although the Company
has not to date experienced any material problems with its VAR network, computer
software dealers and distributors are typically not highly capitalized and have
experienced difficulties especially during times of economic contraction and may
do so in the future.  The loss of or a significant reduction in business with
any one of the Company's major international distributors or large US dealers
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and consolidated
results of operations in future periods.

Product returns. With the exception of certain European distributors,
agreements with the Company's VARs do not contain specific product-return
privileges.  However, the Company permits its VARs to return product in certain
instances, generally during periods of product transition and update cycles.  In
fiscal year 1996, the Company experienced a higher level of product returns than
in fiscal years 1995 and 1994, most notably in the US, which management
attributed primarily to performance issues associated with initial versions of
AutoCAD Release 13 software.  While the Company experienced a decrease in
product returns in absolute dollars during the first nine months of fiscal year
1997 relative to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, management
anticipates that product returns in future periods will continue to be impacted
by product update cycles, new product releases, and software quality.


                                       14
<PAGE>
 
Autodesk establishes allowances, including allowances for stock balancing and
product rotation, based on estimated future returns of product and after taking
into account channel inventory levels, the timing of new product introductions,
and other factors.  While the Company maintains strict measures to monitor
channel inventories and to provide appropriate allowances, actual product
returns may differ from the Company's reserve estimates, and such differences
could be material to Autodesk's consolidated financial statements.

Intellectual property.  The Company protects its intellectual property through
copyright, trade secret, patent, and trademark laws.  There can be no assurance
that such measures will be adequate to protect the Company's proprietary
intellectual property or that claims or infringement of third parties'
intellectual property rights will not occur.  In the normal course of business,
the Company receives and makes inquiries with regard to possible patent
infringement.  Disputes regarding patent infringement or violations of other
intellectual property rights could lead to costly litigation or licensing
arrangements.  Where deemed advisable, the Company may seek licenses or
negotiate settlements.  Costs incurred in the future to litigate intellectual
property ownership or to negotiate license rights could negatively impact future
results of operations.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, which consist primarily of
high-quality municipal bonds, tax-advantaged money market instruments, and US
treasury notes, totaled $253.9 million at October 31, 1996 compared to $272.4
million at January 31, 1996.  (Both amounts include a restricted balance of
$28.0 million related to a litigation judgment.  See Part II, Item 1 of this
report.)  During the first nine months of fiscal year 1997, the Company
generated $72.3 million in cash from operations and realized cash proceeds of
$17.6 million from the issuance of shares through employee stock option and
stock purchase programs.  These increases were partially offset by cash used to
purchase 2,207,000 shares of the Company's stock ($67.0 million) under an
ongoing, systematic repurchase program and under a 5 million share repurchase
program approved by the Company's Board of Directors in August 1996; to purchase
computer equipment, furniture, and leasehold improvements ($15.3 million); to
effect businesses combinations ($9.7 million); and to pay dividends on the
Company's common stock ($8.1 million).

The Company's principal commitments to use cash at October 31, 1996 include
payments of operating leases for facilities and Autodesk's potential put warrant
obligation under its new stock repurchase program.  See Note 3. of Notes to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Longer-term cash requirements, other than normal operating expenses, are
anticipated for development of new software products and enhancement of existing
products; financing anticipated growth; dividend payments; repurchases of the
Company's common stock; and the possible acquisition of businesses, software
products, or technologies complementary to the Company's business. The Company
believes that its existing cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities,
available line of credit, and cash generated from operations will be sufficient
to satisfy its currently anticipated cash requirements.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
- ---------------------------

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In October 1992, Vermont Microsystems, Inc. ("VMI") filed a complaint against
the Company in the US District Court for the District of Vermont, alleging among
other things, misappropriation of trade secrets.  In October 1994, the case was
tried before a Magistrate of the US District Court of Vermont.  In December
1994, the US District Court ruled in favor of VMI on the trade secret claim and
the Company recorded a litigation charge of $25.5 million as a result of a
judgment in this matter.  The Company appealed that judgment, and VMI cross-
appealed, before the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in January 1996.
In July 1996, the Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's finding of
liability but remanded the award for damages back to the US District Court of
Vermont to reconsider the appropriate calculation of damages.  VMI's cross-
appeal was denied by the appellate court.  Management believes the ultimate
resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or cash
flows.


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended October 31, 1996.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
Signatures


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



DATED: February 28, 1997

                             AUTODESK, INC.
                             (Registrant)



                             /s/ CAROL A. BARTZ
                             ------------------
                             Carol A. Bartz
                             Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


                             /s/ JOHN E. CALONICO
                             --------------------
                             John E. Calonico
                             Acting Chief Financial Officer
                             (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

                                       17


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