A waveform generating apparatus for driving a liquid crystal device has a memory for storing waveform data for designating a drive waveform of the liquid crystal device and duration data for designating a duration for which the drive waveform designated by the waveform data is to be supplied, and for outputting the waveform data and the duration data in accordance with an input address designation signal. The apparatus also has a macro decoder for receiving the waveform data output from the memory and a clock signal having a predetermined period and a predetermined phase, and outputting a plurality of drive waveforms designated by the waveform data from corresponding output terminals, thereby generating predetermined waveforms.