<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE
TWELVE MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           2,310
<SECURITIES>                                    20,868
<RECEIVABLES>                                   33,207
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                60,203
<PP&E>                                           5,257
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,377
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  64,403
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,391
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           157
<OTHER-SE>                                      55,510
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    64,403
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               196,728
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  124,268
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,029
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,811
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,218
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,218
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.83