<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOUND IN 
THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 31, 1997, AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    21641
<ALLOWANCES>                                       508
<INVENTORY>                                       1241
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 24095
<PP&E>                                            1374
<DEPRECIATION>                                    3425
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   40826
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            21956
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            62
<OTHER-SE>                                       18202
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     40826
<SALES>                                           5087
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  5087
<CGS>                                              779
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      779
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  7780
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 228
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (3700)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1386)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2314)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2314)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.37)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.37)