<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 18,579 <SECURITIES> 20,742 <RECEIVABLES> 9,949 <ALLOWANCES> 216 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 52,058 <PP&E> 4,801 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 58,519 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 17,334 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 45,746 <OTHER-SE> (4,561) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 58,519 <SALES> 14,210 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 14,210 <CGS> 885 <TOTAL-COSTS> 885 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 9,034 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,645 <INCOME-TAX> 1,719 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,926 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,926 <EPS-PRIMARY> $0.20 <EPS-DILUTED> $0.20