Lotus has a problem with some new software.

A spokesman for Lotus Development said the company is rushing to correct a serious defect in its Symphony 1.1 computer program--one that can wipe out data. The firm said it plans to ship corrected software next week. Lotus is not liable for lost data because the company had alerted customers to the mistake and promised to send corrected disks as soon as possible, the spokesman said. Company officials declined to say how many customers could be affected by the bug, but industry analysts estimate that several thousand copies of Symphony 1.1 have been sold.