<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED JULY 1, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-01-2000
<CASH> 113,165
<SECURITIES> 6,278
<RECEIVABLES> 231,839
<ALLOWANCES> 46,392
<INVENTORY> 15,219
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 484,275
<PP&E> 629,498
<DEPRECIATION> 291,743
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,395,733
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 452,903
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 573,974
<OTHER-SE> 333,483
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,395,733
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 556,175
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 211,214
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 355,826
<LOSS-PROVISION> 883
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,105
<INCOME-PRETAX> (8,412)
<INCOME-TAX> (2,229)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (6,183)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (6,183)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.03)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.03)
</TABLE>