<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000 <PERIOD-END> FEB-29-2000 <CASH> 15,384 <SECURITIES> 1,662 <RECEIVABLES> 21,589 <ALLOWANCES> 1,790 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 49,791 <PP&E> 22,448 <DEPRECIATION> 2,908 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 233,561 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 21,505 <BONDS> 2,841 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 214 <PREFERRED> 30,150 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 177,976 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 233,561 <SALES> 41,038 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 41,038 <CGS> 30,573 <TOTAL-COSTS> 30,573 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 123 <INCOME-PRETAX> (13,775) <INCOME-TAX> (4,127) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (9,648) <DISCONTINUED> 1,600 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (8,048) <EPS-BASIC> (1.01) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.01)