<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