<ARTICLE> 5
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                     149,054,531             149,054,531
<SECURITIES>                                71,814,436              71,814,436
<RECEIVABLES>                               15,290,803              15,290,803
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<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           242,055,750             242,055,750
<PP&E>                                       6,023,390               6,023,390
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,489,507               1,489,507
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             264,850,746             264,850,746
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       35,788,526              35,788,526
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<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        27,355                  27,355
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<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               264,850,746             264,850,746
<SALES>                                     34,941,160              80,978,914
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            34,941,160              80,978,914
<CGS>                                        3,441,412               7,925,792
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,441,412               7,925,792
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<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
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<INCOME-TAX>                                 7,353,748              16,236,543
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<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                13,073,328              28,864,965
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<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.44                    0.99