<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
HEALTHWORLD CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10Q
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                              1000
       
                                               
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                            9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                     JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                       SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                    1873
<SECURITIES>                                                 0
<RECEIVABLES>                                            13021
<ALLOWANCES>                                                 0
<INVENTORY>                                                  0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                         18726
<PP&E>                                                    4855
<DEPRECIATION>                                            2557
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           24395
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    14432
<BONDS>                                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                  0
<COMMON>                                                   290
<OTHER-SE>                                                7741
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             24395
<SALES>                                                      0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                         23186
<CGS>                                                        0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                            20348
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                             0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                          (8)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                           2846
<INCOME-TAX>                                               359
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                       2176
<DISCONTINUED>                                             151
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                              2327
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             0.32