<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         169,875
<SECURITIES>                                    45,408
<RECEIVABLES>                                  171,099
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,423
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               396,638
<PP&E>                                         140,279
<DEPRECIATION>                                  43,581
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 540,080
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          286,832
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,076
<OTHER-SE>                                     252,172
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   540,080
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               450,052
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  394,228
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,461
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 165
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 61,712
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,851
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,861
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,861
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.30