<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          13,827
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,248
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,277
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                36,736
<PP&E>                                           5,170
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,713
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  40,406
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,051
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            59
<OTHER-SE>                                      25,151
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    40,406
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                33,995
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,534
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,939
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   368
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (188)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,266)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,811)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,455)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,455)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.01)