<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 JULY 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUL-31-1997 <CASH> 731 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 20723 <ALLOWANCES> 1508 <INVENTORY> 1174 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 24584 <PP&E> 1373 <DEPRECIATION> 3865 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 43262 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 21605 <BONDS> 6050 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 62 <OTHER-SE> 14890 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 43262 <SALES> 24030 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 24030 <CGS> 3892 <TOTAL-COSTS> 3892 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 28352 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1712 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 867 <INCOME-PRETAX> (9081) <INCOME-TAX> (3405) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (5676) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (5676) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.91) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.91)