<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC. AS OF AND FOR 
THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY 
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1997
<CASH>                                              14
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,832
<ALLOWANCES>                                       462
<INVENTORY>                                        280
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                13,726
<PP&E>                                           9,359
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,442
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  28,797
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,941
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            41
<OTHER-SE>                                      12,532
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    28,797
<SALES>                                          4,112
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                42,645
<CGS>                                            3,260
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,046
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   377
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 352
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,778)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (618)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,160)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,160)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.53)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0