<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