<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> ART. 5 FDS FOR 1ST QUARTER 10-Q </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUL-31-1996 <CASH> 8,566 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 16,918 <ALLOWANCES> 1,746 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 22,200 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 26,560 <COMMON> 1,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> (8,349) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 22,200 <SALES> 613 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 613 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 227 <LOSS-PROVISION> 284 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 521 <INCOME-PRETAX> (420) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (420) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (420) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0