<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
AND THE NINE MONTHS THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           3,845
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,150
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,861
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   380
<PP&E>                                           8,140
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,309
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  40,219
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            9,264
<BONDS>                                          3,144
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            1,550
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             6
<OTHER-SE>                                      25,071
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    40,219
<SALES>                                         22,426
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                22,426
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   20,049
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,589
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (179)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (68)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (3,685)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,796)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.09)