<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)