<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from SEC Form 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 1,073 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 36,738 <ALLOWANCES> 210 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 38,451 <PP&E> 10,408 <DEPRECIATION> 5,918 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 55,851 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 15,754 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 15,598 <OTHER-SE> 10,118 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 55,851 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 17,402 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 14,385 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (14) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 436 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,595 <INCOME-TAX> 1,039 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,556 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,556 <EPS-PRIMARY> .25 <EPS-DILUTED> .23