<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                           5,442
<SECURITIES>                                    22,436
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,675
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (100)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                29,810
<PP&E>                                           3,883
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (1,853)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  40,427
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,086
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            10
<OTHER-SE>                                      31,849
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    40,427
<SALES>                                         17,510
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                17,510
<CGS>                                            5,648
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,648
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,085
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (1,040)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,817
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,831
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,986
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,986
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .26