<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ON THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTH
PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                             512
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,124
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                47,245
<PP&E>                                          24,606
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,848
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  93,990
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,400
<BONDS>                                         38,723
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            6,606
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            61
<OTHER-SE>                                     (7,605)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    93,990
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                83,289
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   76,088
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,416
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,649
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,864)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        49
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,355)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,355)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.96)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.96)