<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1998 <CASH> 11,275 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 113,926 <ALLOWANCES> 534 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 131,094 <PP&E> 47,446 <DEPRECIATION> 25,011 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 227,336 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 53,110 <BONDS> 2,948 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 140 <OTHER-SE> 169,607 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 227,336 <SALES> 427,043 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 427,043 <CGS> 355,750 <TOTAL-COSTS> 355,750 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4,126 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 467 <INCOME-PRETAX> 23,499 <INCOME-TAX> 9,301 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 14,198 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 14,198 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.04 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.01