<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 17,598 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 21,011 <ALLOWANCES> 1,237 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 48,741 <PP&E> 7,825 <DEPRECIATION> 1,432 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 64,331 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 11,505 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 854 <COMMON> 49,517 <OTHER-SE> 1,221 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 64,331 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 163,450 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 134,976 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 25,061 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,507 <INCOME-TAX> 1,585 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 1,197 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 724 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.06 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.06