<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1996 <PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1996 <CASH> 41,926 <SECURITIES> 98,620 <RECEIVABLES> 4,659 <ALLOWANCES> (419) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 147,129 <PP&E> 18,546 <DEPRECIATION> (6,332) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 312,730 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 53,630 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,000 <OTHER-SE> 206,778 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 312,730 <SALES> 42,944 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 64,528 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 39,332 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 53,894 <INCOME-TAX> 21,128 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 32,766 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 32,766 <EPS-PRIMARY> 3.28 <EPS-DILUTED> 0