<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996 <CASH> 130,389 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 120,341 <ALLOWANCES> (1,404) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 258,136 <PP&E> 23,246 <DEPRECIATION> 9,893 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 518,874 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 48,892 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 660 <OTHER-SE> 454,041 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 518,874 <SALES> 218,810 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 218,810 <CGS> 169,876 <TOTAL-COSTS> 169,876 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 30,148 <LOSS-PROVISION> 777 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 369 <INCOME-PRETAX> 19,004 <INCOME-TAX> 7,410 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 11,594 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 11,594 <EPS-PRIMARY> .17 <EPS-DILUTED> .17