<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996 FOUND ON
PAGES 3 AND 4 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                          12,654
<SECURITIES>                                     8,170
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,942
<ALLOWANCES>                                       795
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                31,666
<PP&E>                                           9,580
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,164
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  35,321
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,953
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        52,391
<OTHER-SE>                                    (32,649)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    35,321
<SALES>                                         16,385
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                16,385
<CGS>                                            2,935
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   17,776
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (397)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 283
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,277)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       112
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,389)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,389)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.19)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.19)