<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 APRIL 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> APR-30-1997 <CASH> 531 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 19,135 <ALLOWANCES> 904 <INVENTORY> 999 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 22,176 <PP&E> 1,393 <DEPRECIATION> 3,619 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 40,117 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 20,502 <BONDS> 3,050 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 62 <OTHER-SE> 15,923 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 40,117 <SALES> 12,687 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 12,687 <CGS> 2,131 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,131 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 17,440 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 479 <INCOME-PRETAX> (7,353) <INCOME-TAX> (2,757) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,596) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (4,596) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.74) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.74)