MathSoft and Market Data Systems announce link between S-PLUS and FAME; Cutting-edge data analysis product joined with leading time-series database for unprecedented power and flexibility in dealing with financial data.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 1996--MathSoft, Inc., (NASDAQ:MATH) and Market Data Systems Ltd. of London, England, today announced the release of S+FAMELINK, which integrates FAME software, the leading database for time-series data with S-PLUS, MathSoft's object-oriented data analysis and modeling package.

This link, developed by Market Data Systems in collaboration with MathSoft's Data Analysis Products Division, provides significantly extended data handling and analysis capabilities for FAME users, and provides a link between two of the most powerful tools for high-performance financial market data analysis forecasting and risk management.

According to Henry Greene, Market Data Systems' CEO, "By uniting the leading data analysis product with the leading financial time-series database, we are providing customers with a new and powerful tool for the analysis of financial data. With S+FAMELINK, we are giving customers the tools they need to take the work they are doing with financial data to a higher level." Market Data Systems already provides the industry with standard data interface tools for subscription and collection of market price data from historical and real-time data vendors.

FAME is the industry standard database engine for managing and analyzing time-series data in financial markets. S-PLUS is the most powerful statistical analysis package available today and is based on the "S" language developed by AT&T. S-PLUS is the only object-oriented software environment specifically created for interactive data exploration and analysis and contains over 1,400 functions, including modern robust methods which are widely used with financial data. Cutting edge visualization tools, including new Trellis Graphics displays, allow financial users to gain more insight into their multi-dimensional data. In addition, S-PLUS is used by leading investment banking and money management firms around the world, including nineteen out of twenty of the top investment banking firms.

"Linking S-PLUS and FAME will provide a strong competitive advantage for quantitative analysts, trading model developers, consultants and others dealing with financial time-series data," said Charles Digate, president and CEO of MathSoft. Unlike most financial modeling tools, S-PLUS offers an interactive, object-oriented programming environment and instant graphical display of results. With these tools, users are able to rapidly develop proprietary financial models and products. With the addition of S+FAMELINK, financial analysts have an ideal environment for customized statistical analysis.

S+FAMELINK will be available in April. The U.S. price is $3500 for a single user license. MathSoft's Data Analysis Products Division will be the distributor of S+FAMELINK in North America, while Market Data Systems will be the distributor of S-PLUS products in the financial industry throughout Europe.

S+FAMELINK will be released on SUN OS, SUN Solaris, and HP platforms in April, with an NT release planned for May. Other platform ports will be provided contingent on customer demand.

Founded in 1984, MathSoft is the leading provider of technical calculation and data analysis software for desktop computers. It has licensed more than 600,000 users of its software worldwide. Users include technical professionals worldwide at more than half the Fortune 1,000 companies and over 500 government installations, and students and faculty at over 2,000 colleges and universities. MathSoft's Data Analysis Products Division can be reached by phone at [phone] or [phone], by fax at [phone], via email at [e-mail], or via mail at 1700 Westlake Avenue N, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98109. The MathSoft homepage can be accessed at www.mathsoft.com. S-PLUS and the MathSoft logo are trademarks of MathSoft, Inc. Trellis Graphics is a trademark of Lucent Technologies, the home of Bell Laboratories. Other product and service names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Market Data Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Financial Technology Systems Development Ltd. It is a specialist developer and provider of products and services based upon the FAME time series database to the risk management and trading room support operations of major international banks and other financial institutions. Customers include major investment and central banks, investment management firms and securities houses. Market Data Systems can be reached by phone at 44-171-287-2070, by fax at 44-171-287-8836, via email at 100634.1746 @ compuserve.com, or via mail at Victory House, 99-101 Regent Street, London, W1R 7HB.

CONTACT: Ellen Koup Siobhan Carroll/Kristen Gariepy

MathSoft, Inc. LNS Communications

617-577-1017 x741 617-577-9777

or

Ian Hiller-Brook

MDS Ltd.

44-171-287-2070