<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STAEMENTS OF INCOME FOUND ON PAGES 3 AND 4 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE YEAR-TO-DATE ENDED JULY 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUL-31-1996 <CASH> 89 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 18672 <ALLOWANCES> 1040 <INVENTORY> 1292 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 21661 <PP&E> 1437 <DEPRECIATION> 3060 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 37961 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 18859 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 62 <OTHER-SE> 18267 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 37961 <SALES> 24551 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 24551 <CGS> 3825 <TOTAL-COSTS> 3825 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 22260 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 550 <INCOME-PRETAX> (2099) <INCOME-TAX> (787) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1312) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (1312) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.21) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.21)