<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000790705
<NAME> Tekelec
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 84,789
<SECURITIES> 37,454
<RECEIVABLES> 88,796
<ALLOWANCES> 1,272
<INVENTORY> 24,620
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 268,304
<PP&E> 68,695
<DEPRECIATION> 40,034
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 450,578
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 87,112
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 146,836
<OTHER-SE> 80,557
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 450,578
<SALES> 217,965
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 217,965
<CGS> 79,690
<TOTAL-COSTS> 199,141
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 119,452
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,539
<INCOME-PRETAX> 17,807
<INCOME-TAX> 11,415
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,392
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 6,392
<EPS-BASIC> 0.11
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.10
<FN>
Data listed for "EPS-Primary is the newly defined "BASIC EPS"
</FN>
</TABLE>