September 1, 1992 (Washington, DC) -- The Software Publishers Association
announced today that North American PC application software sales for the
second quarter 1992 increased to an estimated $1.49 billion, measured at
retail. Sales grew 20.4% over the second quarter, 1991. For the first half
of 1992, North American sales reached $2.74 billion, an increase of 20.1%
over the first half of 1991.

Combined North American and international sales were up 19.7% for the
quarter. After posting several slower quarters, including a first quarter
growth rate of 12.5%, international sales for the second quarter began
showing signs of strength, rising 18.5% from the second quarter of 1991.

Windows applications sales sky-rocketed in the second quarter, increasing
181% compared with the second quarter of 1991, reaching $526 million.
Sales of DOS applications in the second quarter totaled $637 million, a
decline of 13.2% from the second quarter of 1991. After a very robust 51%
growth rate in the first quarter, Macintosh applications growth tapered
off in the second quarter, increasing 18.6% to $271 million.

Spreadsheets displaced word processors as the largest application category
in the second quarter. Sales of spreadsheets reached $236 million, an
increase of 29% from the second quarter 1991, while word processor sales
were $188 million, an increase of 13%. Disk-based entertainment software
sales grew 56.7%, reaching $58 million for the second quarter. Drawing and
painting program sales were also strong with sales of $61 million, a 48.1%
rise from second quarter, 1991.

"Windows application sales was the engine that drove the applications
software industry in the second quarter," said David Tremblay, SPA's
Research Director. "We expect the increase in Windows applications to slow
down in the third quarter--150% to 180% growth rates have not proved
sustainable in the long run. Still, the SPA third quarter sales report,
coming out later this fall, should show Windows applications out-selling
DOS applications in North America for the first time . "

The Software Publishers Association is the principal trade association of
the PC software industry. Its 900 members represent the leading publishers
in the business, consumer, and education markets. The SPA has offices in
Washington, DC, and Paris, France.

Software Publishers Association
1730 M St Northwest, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036
202-452-1600

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