<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          18,211
<SECURITIES>                                    22,869
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,316
<ALLOWANCES>                                       423
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                63,370
<PP&E>                                           6,245
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,777
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  67,765
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,837
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        33,368
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,097
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    67,765
<SALES>                                         46,209
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                46,209
<CGS>                                            8,295
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    8,295
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                30,580
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  82
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,398
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,023
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,375
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,375
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .26