<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 27, 1997 (Unaudited) and the Consolidated Statements of Income for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 1997 (Unaudited) and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-27-1997 <PERIOD-START> DEC-29-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-27-1997 <CASH> 12,146 <SECURITIES> 3,018 <RECEIVABLES> 177,790 <ALLOWANCES> 6,376 <INVENTORY> 926 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 214,875 <PP&E> 139,223 <DEPRECIATION> 49,759 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 363,789 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 138,082 <BONDS> 40,063 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 129 <OTHER-SE> 156,211 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 363,789 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 893,980 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 683,102 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 31,069 <LOSS-PROVISION> 2,961 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,293 <INCOME-PRETAX> 29,867 <INCOME-TAX> 12,455 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 17,412 <DISCONTINUED> (402) <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 17,010 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.35 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.34