<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY
PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                             625
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,595
<ALLOWANCES>                                       956
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                43,128
<PP&E>                                          26,525
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,918
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  95,205
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           32,165
<BONDS>                                         37,810
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            6,804
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            59
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,557
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    95,205
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                38,011
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   34,457
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,205
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,103
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,754)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        30
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,784)     
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,966)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.33)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.33)