SUNGARD DATA SYSTEMS INC
S-3, 1997-04-30
COMPUTER PROCESSING & DATA PREPARATION
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<PAGE>
 
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 30, 1997

                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 33-
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                               ---------------- 

                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                ---------------

                         SUNGARD/(R)/ DATA SYSTEMS INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>                             <C>
            DELAWARE                      1285 DRUMMERS LANE,             51-0267091
(State or other jurisdiction of        WAYNE, PENNSYLVANIA 19087        (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)            (610) 341-8700              Identification No.)
</TABLE> 
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                               ---------------- 

                           LAWRENCE A. GROSS, ESQUIRE
                       VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                           SUNGARD DATA SYSTEMS INC.
                 1285 DRUMMERS LANE, WAYNE, PENNSYLVANIA 19087
                                 (610) 341-8700
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                               ---------------- 

  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE
PUBLIC:  AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT.

  If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment, please check the following 
box. [ ]

  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [x]

  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the
following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ] _______

  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ] __________

  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]


                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        TITLE OF                   AMOUNT            PROPOSED MAXIMUM    PROPOSED MAXIMUM     AMOUNT OF
 EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES          TO BE              OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE        REGISTRATION
     TO BE REGISTERED            REGISTERED              PER SHARE         OFFERING PRICE       FEE
<S>                           <C>                    <C>               <C>                   <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Common Stock,          267,786 shares/(1)/      $43.625/(2)/    $11,682,164.25/(2 )/    $3540.05
 par value $0.01 per share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1) This Registration Statement covers shares owned by certain selling
    stockholders which shares may be offered from time to time by the selling
    stockholders for a period not to exceed 60 days from the effective date of
    this registration statement.
(2) Based upon the average of the last reported bid and asked prices of the
    Common Stock as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market on April 25, 1997,
    estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in
    accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
        SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED MAY __, 1997


                                   PROSPECTUS
                                   ----------

                         SUNGARD/(R)/ DATA SYSTEMS INC.

                         267,786 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

       The shares offered hereby (the "Shares") consist of 267,786 shares of
  common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), of SunGard Data
  Systems Inc., a Delaware corporation ("SunGard"), which are owned by the
  selling stockholders listed herein under "Selling Stockholders" (collectively,
  the "Selling Stockholders").  The Shares may be offered from time to time by
  the Selling Stockholders for a period not to exceed 60 days after the date of
  this Prospectus, except as may be extended by SunGard in accordance with the
  Registration Rights Agreement dated January 31, 1997 by and among GMI
  Software, Inc., an Illinois corporation ("GMI"), all the stockholders of GMI
  as of January 31, 1997 and SunGard (the "Registration Rights Agreement").
  SunGard shall pay its own legal and accounting fees, all registration and
  filing fees attributable to the registration of the Shares, all legal fees and
  filing fees relating to state securities or "blue sky" filings, the filing fee
  payable to The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. and all printing fees incurred in
  connection herewith.  Each Selling Stockholder shall pay his, her or its own
  legal and accounting fees and any other expenses incurred by the Selling
  Stockholder.  Any commissions, discounts or other fees payable to broker-
  dealers in connection with any sale of the Shares shall be borne by the
  Selling Stockholder selling such Shares.  SunGard will not receive any of the
  proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Selling Stockholders.

       The Selling Stockholders have not advised SunGard of any specific plans
  for the distribution of the Shares covered by this Prospectus, but it is
  anticipated that the Shares will be sold from time to time primarily in
  transactions (which may include block transactions) on the Nasdaq National
  Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market at the market price then prevailing,
  although sales may also be made in negotiated transactions or otherwise.  The
  Selling Stockholders and the brokers and dealers through whom sale of the
  Shares may be made may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of
  the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and their
  commissions or discounts and other compensation may be regarded as
  underwriters' compensation.  See "Plan of Distribution."

       SunGard's Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market of The
  Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "SNDT."  On May __, 1997, the last
  reported closing price of the Common Stock was $______ per share.


         THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
        NOR HAS THE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
     UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION
                     TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


                         -----------------------------

                 THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY ____, 1997.
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

       SunGard has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
  "Commission") a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act
  (the "Registration Statement") with respect to the registration of SunGard
  Common Stock owned by the Selling Stockholders.  This Prospectus constitutes a
  part of the Registration Statement and, in accordance with the rules of the
  Commission, omits certain of the information contained in the Registration
  Statement.  For such information, reference is made to the Registration
  Statement and the exhibits thereto.

       SunGard is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance therewith files
  reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission.  The
  Registration Statement, as well as such reports, proxy statements and other
  information, can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
  maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
  D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices at Northwestern Atrium
  Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and at
  Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048.  Copies of such material
  also can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at
  450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates.  In
  addition, such materials and other information concerning SunGard can be
  inspected at The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., 1735 K Street, Washington, D.C.
  20006.

       THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE CERTAIN DOCUMENTS THAT ARE NOT
  PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH.  SUNGARD HEREBY UNDERTAKES TO PROVIDE
  WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON, INCLUDING ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO WHOM A COPY
  OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF SUCH PERSON,
  A COPY OF ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION THAT HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED BY
  REFERENCE HEREIN (NOT INCLUDING EXHIBITS THERETO UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE
  SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE INFORMATION INCORPORATED
  HEREIN).  SUCH DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM
  SUNGARD DATA SYSTEMS INC., 1285 DRUMMERS LANE, WAYNE, PENNSYLVANIA 19087,
  ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS; TELEPHONE: (610) 341-8700.

                    INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

       The following documents filed by SunGard with the Commission are hereby
  incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:  (1) SunGard's Annual Report on
  Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996; (2) SunGard's
  Definitive Proxy Statement in connection with its 1997 Annual Meeting of
  Stockholders; and (3) the description of SunGard Common Stock that is
  incorporated by reference in SunGard's Registration Statement on Form 8-A
  filed on February 14, 1986, including any amendments or reports filed for the
  purpose of updating such description.

       All documents filed by SunGard pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
  15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus shall be deemed to
  be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of
  filing thereof.  Any statement contained herein or in any document
  incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
  to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent
  that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document
  that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or
  supersedes such statement.  Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
  not be deemed to constitute a part of this Prospectus, except as so modified
  or superseded.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE COMPANY

       SunGard is a computer service and application software company.   SunGard
  is a large specialized provider of proprietary investment support systems, is
  the pioneer and a leading provider of comprehensive computer disaster recovery
  services, and also provides proprietary healthcare information systems and
  other computer services.  SunGard is a Delaware corporation that was organized
  in 1982.  SunGard's principal executive offices are located at 1285 Drummers
  Lane, Wayne, Pennsylvania, 19087, and its telephone number is (610) 341-8700.


                                USE OF PROCEEDS

       SunGard will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the
  Selling Stockholders.


                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

       The following table sets forth certain information as of the date of this
  Prospectus regarding the ownership of shares of SunGard Common Stock of each
  Selling Stockholder and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of the Shares
  offered hereby.  All of the Shares being offered by the Selling Stockholders
  were acquired by them as a result of the acquisition by SunGard of GMI.  The
  Shares are being registered to permit public secondary trading in the Shares
  and the Selling Stockholders may offer the Shares for resale from time to
  time.  See "Plan of Distribution."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     # OF SHARES     # OF SHARES   % OF SHARES
NAME OF SELLING              # OF SHARES OWNED          BEING        OWNED AFTER   OWNED AFTER
 STOCKHOLDER                BEFORE THE OFFERING   OFFERED FOR SALE   THE OFFERING  THE OFFERING
- ------------------------    -------------------   ----------------   ------------  ------------
<S>                         <C>                   <C>                <C>           <C>
Peter T. Coyle                            3,096              2,786            310             *
J. Jeffrey Geldermann/1/                341,104             90,000        251,104             *
William F. Geldermann                    34,825             25,000          9,825             *
Jean R. Hicks                            44,526             25,000         19,526             *
Robert P. Murtaugh/2/                   341,504            125,000        216,504             *
</TABLE> 
- ------------------
/*/ Less than one (1) percent of the outstanding Common Stock of SunGard.

/1/ Mr. Geldermann is Vice Chairman - SunGard Futures Systems,  a division of
SunGard Systems International Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SunGard.

/2/ Mr. Murtaugh is Vice Chairman - SunGard Futures Systems,  a division of
SunGard Systems International Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SunGard.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

       The Shares offered hereby by the Selling Stockholders may be sold from
  time to time by the Selling Stockholders, or by pledgees, donees, transferees
  or other successors in interest.  Such sales may be made on one or more
  exchanges or in the over-the-counter market (including the Nasdaq National
  Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market), or otherwise at prices and at terms then
  prevailing or at prices related to the then-current market price, or in
  negotiated transactions.  The Shares may be sold by one or more of the
  following methods, without limitation:  (a) a block trade in which the broker-
  dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the Shares as agent but may position
  and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
  (b) purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker or
  dealer for its account pursuant to this Prospectus; (c) ordinary brokerage
  transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers; and (d)
  face-to-face transactions between the Selling Stockholders and purchasers
  without a broker-dealer.  In effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged by
  the Selling Stockholders may arrange for other brokers or dealers to
  participate.  Such brokers or dealers may receive commissions or discounts
  from the Selling Stockholders in amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to
  the sale.  Such brokers or dealers and any other participating brokers or
  dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
  Securities Act, in connection with such sales.  In addition, any securities
  covered by this Prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 might be
  sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this Prospectus.

       Upon SunGard being notified by a Selling Stockholder that any material
  arrangement has been entered into with a broker or dealer for the sale of
  Shares through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or
  secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, a supplemented
  Prospectus will be filed, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(c) under the
  Securities Act, disclosing (a) the name of each such broker-dealer, (b) the
  number of Shares involved, (c) the price at which such Shares were sold, (d)
  the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such broker-
  dealer(s), where applicable, (e) that such broker-dealer(s) did not conduct
  any investigation to verify the information set out or incorporated by
  reference in this Prospectus, as supplemented, and (f) other facts material to
  the transaction.

       The Registration Statement shall remain effective until the earlier of
  (i) the date on which all of the Shares included in the Registration Statement
  have been distributed to the public and (ii) 60 days after the Registration
  Statement is first declared effective by the Commission, except as may be
  extended by SunGard in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.

       SunGard shall pay its own legal and accounting fees, all registration and
  filing fees attributable to the registration of the Shares, all legal fees and
  filing fees relating to state securities or "blue sky" filings, the filing fee
  payable to The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. and all printing fees incurred in
  connection herewith.  Each Selling Stockholder shall pay his, her or its own
  legal and accounting fees and any other expenses incurred by the Selling
  Stockholder.  Any commissions, discounts or other fees payable to broker-
  dealers in connection with any sale of the Shares shall be borne by the
  Selling Stockholder selling such Shares.

       SunGard has agreed to indemnify the Selling Stockholders in certain
  circumstances, against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising
  under the Securities Act.  Each Selling Stockholder has agreed to indemnify
  SunGard and its directors, and its officers who sign the Registration
  Statement against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the
  Securities Act.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                 LEGAL OPINION

       Lawrence A. Gross, Esquire, who prepared the opinion attached as Exhibit
  5.1 as to the legality of the Shares registered hereby, is Vice President and
  General Counsel of SunGard, and, as of the date hereof, beneficially owns
  18,456 shares of SunGard's Common Stock.


                                    EXPERTS

       The consolidated balance sheets of SunGard and subsidiaries as of
  December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of income,
  stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
  period ended December 31, 1996, have been incorporated by reference in this
  Prospectus and in the Registration Statement in reliance upon the report of
  Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, given on the authority of
  that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       5
<PAGE>
========================================
 
No dealer, salesman or other person has               
been authorized to give any information or to        
make any representations other than those            
contained in this Prospectus and, if given or        
made, such information or representations            
must not be relied upon as having been               
authorized by SunGard or the Selling                 
Stockholders.  This Prospectus does not              
constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an  
offer to buy to any person in any jurisdiction in    
which such offer or solicitation would be            
unlawful or to any person to whom it is              
unlawful.  Neither the delivery of this              
Prospectus nor any offer or sale made                
hereunder shall, under any circumstances,            
create any implication that there has been no        
change in the affairs of SunGard or that             
information contained herein is correct as of        
any time subsequent to the date hereof.              
                                                     
             _______________                                                    
                                                     
                                                     
            TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                  
                                                                   
                                     Page
                                     -----
Available Information                  2
Incorporation of Documents
   by Reference                        2
The Company                            3
Use of Proceeds                        3
Selling Stockholders                   3
Plan of Distribution                   4
Legal Opinion                          5
Experts                                5



       267,786 Shares              

========================================
                                   
                                   
========================================
                                   
  SUNGARD DATA SYSTEMS INC.        
                                   
                                   
                                   
        Common Stock               
                                   
                                 
                                 
       _______________           
                                 
         PROSPECTUS              
       _______________           
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 
        May   , 1997             
 
 ========================================

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                     PART II

                      INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS 

   ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
                                                        
           The following table shows the estimated expenses of the issuance and
   distribution of the securities offered hereby.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                         <C>
SEC registration fee paid by the Company..  $  3540
Nasdaq listing fee paid by Company........     7000
London Stock Exchange fee.................     6000
Legal fees and expenses...................     5000
Accounting fees and expenses..............     4000
Miscellaneous.............................     1000
                                            -------
Total.....................................  $26,540
</TABLE>
  ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

          The Delaware General Corporation Law provides, in substance, that
  Delaware corporations shall have the power, under specified circumstances, to
  indemnify their directors, officers, employees and agents in connection with
  actions, suits or proceedings brought against them by third parties and in
  connection with actions or suits by or in the right of the corporation, by
  reason of the fact that they were or are such directors, officers, employees
  and agents, against expenses (including attorney's fees) and, in the case of
  actions, suits or proceedings brought by third parties, against judgments,
  fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in any
  such action, suit or proceeding.

          SunGard's Bylaws provide for indemnification to the fullest extent
  permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

          As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, SunGard has
  adopted an amendment to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
  to eliminate the personal liability of its directors to SunGard and its
  stockholders, in certain circumstances, for monetary damages arising from a
  breach of the director's duty of care.  Additionally, SunGard has entered into
  indemnification agreements (in the form approved by SunGard's stockholders at
  its 1987 Annual Meeting) with each of its directors and officers.  These
  agreements provide indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law and,
  in certain respects, provide greater protection than that specifically
  provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law.  The agreements do not
  provide indemnification for, among other things, conduct that is adjudged to
  be fraud, deliberate dishonesty or willful misconduct.

          SunGard has obtained directors' and officers' liability insurance that
  covers certain liabilities, including liabilities to SunGard and its
  stockholders, in the amount of $20 million.

                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
  ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS

  NUMBER                                                     DOCUMENT
  ------                                                     --------

    5.1   Opinion of Counsel as to the validity of the issuance of the shares of
          SunGard Common Stock to be registered.
    23.1  Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
    23.2  Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1).
    24.1  Power of attorney of certain signatories (included on the Signature
          Page).


  ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

     (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
          made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

            (i)   To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
                  Securities Act of 1933;

            (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
                  the effective date to the registration statement (or most
                  recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually
                  or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
                  information set forth in the registration statement.

            (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
                  of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
                  statement or any material change to such information in the
                  registration statement.

          Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this
          section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3,
          Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a
          post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
          reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant
          pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange
          Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration
          statement.

          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
          Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
          deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
          offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
          shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
          any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
          termination of the offering.

     (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
  determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
  registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
  employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
  registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
  relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
  thereof.

     (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
  Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of SunGard
  pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, SunGard has been advised
  that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission

                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
  such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
  Act and is therefore unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
  indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by SunGard of
  expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
  SunGard in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
  asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
  the securities being registered, SunGard will, unless in the opinion of its
  counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
  court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
  it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
  governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
                        SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
  CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS ALL OF THE
  REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION
  STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHOR
  IZED, IN WAYNE, PENNSYLVANIA, ON THE DATE INDICATED.

                                    SUNGARD DATA SYSTEMS INC.

  Date:  April 30, 1997           By:  s/ James L. Mann
                                       ----------------
                                    JAMES L. MANN,
                                    CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
  OFFICER

  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS REGISTRATION
  STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON
  THE DATES INDICATED.  EACH PERSON WHOSE SIGNATURE APPEARS BELOW HEREBY
  AUTHORIZES JAMES L. MANN AND MICHAEL J. RUANE AND EACH OF THEM, AS ATTORNEY-
  IN-FACT, TO SIGN ON HIS BEHALF INDIVIDUALLY AND IN EACH CAPACITY STATED BELOW,
  AND TO FILE, ANY AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENTS, TO THIS
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                 SIGNATURE                               CAPACITY                  DATE
- --------------------------------------------  ------------------------------  --------------
<S>                                           <C>                             <C>
 
                 s/ James L. Mann             Chief Executive Officer,        April 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------  President, and Chairman       
                 JAMES L. MANN                of the Board of Directors      
                                              (principal executive officer)  
                                                                             
 
                 s/ Michael J. Ruane          Chief Financial Officer and     April 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------  Vice President-Finance        
                 MICHAEL J. RUANE             (principal financial officer)  
                                                                             
 
                 s/ Andrew P. Bronstein       Vice President and Controller   April 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------  (principal accounting officer) 
                 ANDREW P. BRONSTEIN                                         
 
                 s/ Gregory S. Bentley        Director                        April 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------
                 GREGORY S. BENTLEY
 
                 s/ Michael C. Brooks         Director                        April 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------
                 MICHAEL C. BROOKS
 
                 s/ Albert A. Eisenstat       Director                        April 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------
                 ALBERT A. EISENSTAT
 
                 s/ Bernard Goldstein         Director                        April 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------
                 BERNARD GOLDSTEIN
 
                 s/ Michael Roth              Director                        April 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------
                 MICHAEL ROTH
 
                 s/ Malcolm I. Ruddock        Director                        April 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------
                 MALCOLM I. RUDDOCK
 
                 s/ Lawrence J. Schoenberg    Director                        April 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------
                 LAWRENCE J. SCHOENBERG
</TABLE>

                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


  NUMBER                                                   DOCUMENT
  ------                                                   --------

  5.1     Opinion of Counsel as to the validity of the issuance of the shares of
          SunGard Common Stock to be registered.
  23.1    Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
  23.2    Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  24.1    Power of attorney of certain signatories (included on the Signature
          Page).

<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT 5.1

                       [LETTERHEAD OF LAWRENCE A. GROSS]
  April 30, 1997



  SunGard Data Systems Inc.
  1285 Drummers Lane
  Wayne, PA 19087

  Gentlemen:

  I am Vice President and General Counsel to SunGard Data Systems Inc.
  ("Company").  Our corporate legal department, under my supervision, has
  participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-3
  ("Registration Statement") to be filed by the Company with the Securities Act
  of 1933, as amended, relating to the registration of 267,786 shares of common
  stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), which have been included in
  the Registration Statement for the respective accounts of the persons
  identified in the Registration Statement as Selling Stockholders.  This
  opinion is furnished pursuant to the requirement of item 601(b)(5) of
  Regulation S-K.

  In rendering this opinion, we have examined the following documents:  (i) the
  Company's Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, as amended and restated
  since the inception of the Company, (ii) resolutions adopted by the Board of
  Directors on November 11, 1996, December 11, 1996 and January 13, 1997, and
  (iii) the Registration Statement.  We have assumed and relied, as to questions
  of fact and mixed questions of law and fact, on the truth, completeness,
  authenticity and due authorization of all documents and records examined and
  the genuineness of all signatures.  This opinion is limited to the laws of the
  State of Delaware.

  Based upon and subject to the foregoing, in our opinion, the shares of Common
  Stock are legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
  Registration Statement.

  Sincerely,

  /s/ Lawrence A. Gross

  Lawrence A. Gross
  Vice President and 
  General Counsel

<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


    We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement
  of SunGard Data Systems Inc. on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 13,
  1997, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of SunGard Data
  Systems Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for each
  of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, which reports are
  included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the reference
  to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Registration Statement.

 
                                    /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

                                    COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


  2400 Eleven Penn Center
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  April 30, 1997
 


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