<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q AS
OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           5,706
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   33,611
<ALLOWANCES>                                       677
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                40,420
<PP&E>                                          19,463
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,483
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 107,837
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,174
<BONDS>                                         25,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           255
<OTHER-SE>                                      37,116
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   107,837
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                92,508
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   54,345
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,862
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,390
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (6,251)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (6,251)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (1,260)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (7,511)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.30)<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>EPS is Basic EPS as common stock equivalents are antidilutive.
</FN>