<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)