<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          55,186                 138,413
<SECURITIES>                                    71,214                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  145,221                 152,274
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               284,136                 295,725
<PP&E>                                          61,879                  49,295
<DEPRECIATION>                                  38,324                  30,728
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 323,711                 318,261
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           42,347                  37,984
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           486                     464
<OTHER-SE>                                           0                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   323,711                 318,261
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               116,043                 100,677
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                76,054                  65,576
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (5,811)                     815
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 45,800                  34,286
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,930                  14,160
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,870                  20,126
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,870                  20,126
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .55                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .55                       0