<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
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 122,190
<SECURITIES> 5,788
<RECEIVABLES> 256,302
<ALLOWANCES> 50,416
<INVENTORY> 17,285
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 488,577
<PP&E> 654,723
<DEPRECIATION> 306,435
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,415,989
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 447,303
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 567,773
<OTHER-SE> 349,643
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,415,989
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 888,636
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 327,967
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 554,507
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,443
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,814
<INCOME-PRETAX> 10,188
<INCOME-TAX> 2,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,488
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 7,488
<EPS-BASIC> 0.03
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.03
</TABLE>