Sage Group PLC - Rule 8 Disclosure

RNS Number:9975C
Sage Group PLC
23 December 1999

                                  Date of Disclosure..23rd DECEMBER 1999

                    DISCLOSURE UNDER RULES 8.1(a), 8.1(b)(i) and 8.3 
                       OF THE CITY CODE OF TAKE-OVERS AND MERGERS

Date of dealing....  22nd DECEMBER 1999  ........................

Dealing in.........  SAGE GROUP PLC  ...........(name of company)

1)  Class of securities (eg ordinary shares).. ORDINARY 1p   .......

2)  Amount bought                Amount sold             Price per unit

                                    25,000                    #7.52

3)  Resultant total of the same class owned or controlled 
    (and percentage of class)...   25,093,950....................(2.05%)


4)  Party making disclosure...  GARTMORE INVESTMENT LIMITED ..........


5)  EITHER (a) Name of purchaser/vendor (Note 1).....................
    OR     (b) if dealing for discretionary client(s), name of fund 
               management organisation...  GARTMORE INVESTMENT LIMITED  


6)  Reason for disclosure (Note 2)                                     
    (a) associate of (i) offeror (Note 3)                       NO
                    (ii) offeree company                        NO

Specify which category or categories of associate (1-8 overleaf).....

If category (8), explain.............................................

     (b)  Rule 8.3 (ie disclosure because of ownership or control of 1% 
          or more of the class or relevant securities dealt in)  YES

Signed, for and on behalf of the party named in (4) above..N/A.........  

(Also print name of signatory)....  ALAN BUDDLES  .....................

Telephone and extension number................... 0171-782-2843 ......


Note 1.  Specify owner, not nominee or vehicle company.  If relevant, also 
         identify controller of owner, eg where an owner normally acts on 
         instructions of a controller

Note 2.  Disclosure might be made for more than on reason; if so, state all 
         reasons.

Note 3.  Specify which offeror is there is more than one.

Note 4.  When an arrangement exists with any offeror, with the offeree company 
         or which an associate of any offeror or of the offeree company 
         in relation to relevant securities, details of such arrangement must 
         be disclosed, as required by Note 6 on Rule 8.......................
         ....................................................................
         ....................................................................
         ....................................................................
         ....................................................................

Note 5.  It may be necessary, particularly when disclosing derivative 
         transactions, to append a sheet to this disclosure form so that
         relevant information can be given.

Note 6.  In the case of an average price bargain, each underlying trade 
         should be disclosed.

For full details of disclosure requirements, see Rule 8 of the Code.  If in 
doubt, contact the Panel on Take-overs and Mergers, Tel No: 0171 382 9026



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