<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET - UNAUDITED AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
INCOME AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000859360
<NAME> LEGATO SYSTEMS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1999
<CASH> 97,319
<SECURITIES> 47,405
<RECEIVABLES> 50,100
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 211,184
<PP&E> 23,895
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 399,230
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 52,799
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 320,912
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 399,230
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 163,439
<CGS> 22,343
<TOTAL-COSTS> 157,753
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 9,563
<INCOME-TAX> 6,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 3,063
<EPS-BASIC> 0.04
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.03
</TABLE>