<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 13,259 <SECURITIES> 26,268 <RECEIVABLES> 6,516 <ALLOWANCES> 216 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 48,500 <PP&E> 4,496 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 54,791 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 17,737 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 44,608 <OTHER-SE> (7,554) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 54,791 <SALES> 43,919 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 43,919 <CGS> 3,352 <TOTAL-COSTS> 3,352 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 46,037 <LOSS-PROVISION> 137 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> (4,317) <INCOME-TAX> 5,361 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (9,678) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (9,678) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.77) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.77)