<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 4,289 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 80,091 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 92,275 <PP&E> 41,423 <DEPRECIATION> 10,680 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 408,008 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 45,780 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 290 <OTHER-SE> 241,935 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 408,008 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 82,293 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 70,780 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,232 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,355 <INCOME-TAX> 3,445 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,910 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,910 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.12 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.12