
<TABLE> <S> <C>




<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUL-31-1999
<CASH>                                          16,603
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   80,540
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,087
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               193,518
<PP&E>                                          29,174
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,692
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 282,918
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          134,808
<BONDS>                                         79,605
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      2,455
<COMMON>                                            12
<OTHER-SE>                                      28,822
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   282,918
<SALES>                                        318,820
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               318,820
<CGS>                                          236,942
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  306,374
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,097
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,747
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,894
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,137
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,757
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  1,841
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (376)
<EPS-BASIC>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0



</TABLE>
