UPDATE 3-Adobe outlook disappoints, shares fall

(Recasts to lead with revenue forecast.)

By Jim Finkle

BOSTON, June 16 (Reuters) - U.S. design software maker Adobe Systems Inc (ADBE.O: Quote, Profile, Research) issued a revenue outlook that disappointed some investors on Monday, sending its shares down 2.6 percent.

The maker of Photoshop, Flash and Acrobat released the forecast as it reported a 41 percent rise in quarterly profit. Brisk revenue growth overseas offset flat sales in the economically troubled United States.

Adobe forecast revenue in a range of $855 million to $885 million for the fiscal third quarter, which ends Aug. 29. That compares with an average analyst forecast of $876 million according to Reuters Estimates.

"Some investors ... were expecting a higher forecast," said Goldman Sachs analyst Sasa Zorovic.

The company, the world's biggest maker of design software, also forecast third quarter per-share profit before items at between 45 cents and 47 cents, compared with the average Wall Street estimate of 45 cents.

Chief Executive Shantanu Narayen said that, while Adobe has so far been able to meet its financial targets in the midst of the U.S. economic slowdown, its fate could change if conditions worsen.

"I'm not an economist. All I can do is reflect on what I have seen so far," he said. "Demand for our products remains strong. (But) we are not immune to a recession."