<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)