<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
        This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated statement of operations and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Oct-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   Apr-30-1999
<CASH>                                         2,329,975
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  19,013,156
<ALLOWANCES>                                   13,239,835
<INVENTORY>                                    612,975
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               26,737,242
<PP&E>                                         4,517,808
<DEPRECIATION>                                 2,549,737
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 36,672,417
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          21,362,218
<BONDS>                                        16,893,847
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    60,408
<COMMON>                                       72,229
<OTHER-SE>                                     23,007,915
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   36,672,417
<SALES>                                        26,059,986
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               26,059,986
<CGS>                                          15,152,499
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  29,099,571
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               594,672
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               2,984,230
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             778,997
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,634,257)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,634,257)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,634,257)
<EPS-BASIC>                                  (.50)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (.46)