<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE COMPANY'S YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 36,952 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 19,052 <ALLOWANCES> 250 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 56,978 <PP&E> 4,550 <DEPRECIATION> 1,654 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 60,304 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 19,326 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 32,207 <OTHER-SE> 8,218 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 60,304 <SALES> 41,548 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 41,548 <CGS> 5,321 <TOTAL-COSTS> 5,321 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 27,728 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (218) <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,717 <INCOME-TAX> 3,312 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,405 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,405 <EPS-PRIMARY> .28 <EPS-DILUTED> .28