<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1999 <CASH> 5,889 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 116,556 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 127,320 <PP&E> 50,173 <DEPRECIATION> 25,699 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 225,681 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 46,661 <BONDS> 2,274 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 142 <OTHER-SE> 176,315 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 225,681 <SALES> 199,965 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 199,965 <CGS> 192,924 <TOTAL-COSTS> 192,924 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 221 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,358 <INCOME-TAX> 2,748 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,610 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,610 <EPS-PRIMARY> .33 <EPS-DILUTED> .32