<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SEC FORM
10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>                     
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000  
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                          3,047   
<SECURITIES>                                   10,856
<RECEIVABLES>                                   8,209
<ALLOWANCES>                                      386
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               22,669
<PP&E>                                          6,798
<DEPRECIATION>                                  3,842
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 26,824
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           7,045
<BONDS>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                       271
<COMMON>                                          124
<OTHER-SE>                                     19,384
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   26,824
<SALES>                                        10,698
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               14,131
<CGS>                                             746 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   1,349
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  132
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  8
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,762)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,762)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0 
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,762)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.47)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.47)