<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-2000 <CASH> 28,320 <SECURITIES> 755 <RECEIVABLES> 25,242 <ALLOWANCES> 1,597 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 63,717 <PP&E> 23,720 <DEPRECIATION> 3,884 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 253,795 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 22,838 <BONDS> 1,266 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 30,450 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 238 <OTHER-SE> 198,128 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 253,795 <SALES> 74,701 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 74,701 <CGS> 55,652 <TOTAL-COSTS> 55,652 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 231 <INCOME-PRETAX> (22,680) <INCOME-TAX> (5,728) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (16,952) <DISCONTINUED> 1,376 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (15,576) <EPS-BASIC> (1.74) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.74)