
<TABLE> <S> <C>





<ARTICLE>                                    5            
<MULTIPLIER>                              1000       
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                            3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                  SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                     OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                       DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                  46,966
<SECURITIES>                                 0
<RECEIVABLES>                           65,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                 0
<INVENTORY>                                  0 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       120,094
<PP&E>                                  33,555
<DEPRECIATION>                          17,163
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         169,755
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                   55,294
<BONDS>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        0
<PREFERRED>                                  0
<COMMON>                                   141
<OTHER-SE>                             111,698
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           169,755
<SALES>                                 61,059
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                        61,059
<CGS>                                   20,617
<TOTAL-COSTS>                           49,863
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                         (511)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          20
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         11,687
<INCOME-TAX>                             4,447
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      7,240
<DISCONTINUED>                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              0
<CHANGES>                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                             7,240
<EPS-PRIMARY>                              .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                              .25
        


</TABLE>
