<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from (a) the
Company's September 30, 1996 financial statements and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such (b) financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           5,032
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,578
<ALLOWANCES>                                       180
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                21,836
<PP&E>                                           3,662
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,447
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  24,455
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,180
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            1,053
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,456
<OTHER-SE>                                       6,513
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    24,455
<SALES>                                         28,564
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                28,564
<CGS>                                            3,249
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,249
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                19,241
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  17
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,091
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,314
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,777
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .20