<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           9,403
<SECURITIES>                                     9,001
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,714
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,942
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                31,383
<PP&E>                                          28,449
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,361
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  58,268
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,290
<BONDS>                                            111
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            4,688
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        86,191
<OTHER-SE>                                    (61,898)<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    58,268
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               130,977
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  110,846
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   636<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,005
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,562
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,205
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,683
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,522
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (678)<F3>
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,844
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .40<F4>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Accumulated deficit
<F2>Other income, net of expenses
<F3>Loss on early retirement of debt, net of income taxes
<F4>Includes dividends and accretion on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock
</FN>