<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AT FEBRUARY 28, 1997 AND FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1997 <CASH> 2,458,704 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 5,555,531 <ALLOWANCES> 233,058 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 9,567,703 <PP&E> 12,719,714 <DEPRECIATION> 2,903,946 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 20,389,012 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 7,217,102 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 31,978 <OTHER-SE> 8,086,486 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 20,389,012 <SALES> 10,493,635 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 10,571,811 <CGS> 5,385,626 <TOTAL-COSTS> 5,385,626 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 3,744,364 <LOSS-PROVISION> 10,112 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 298,739 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,058,523 <INCOME-TAX> 353,216 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 705,307 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 705,307 <EPS-PRIMARY> .22 <EPS-DILUTED> .22