WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE. <ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 85,819 <SECURITIES> 4,453 <RECEIVABLES> 11,156 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 114,371 <PP&E> 13,302 <DEPRECIATION> 3,484 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 135,353 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 20,578 <BONDS> 885 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,565 <OTHER-SE> 110,642 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 135,353 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 83,550 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 45,959 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 21,988 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 175 <INCOME-PRETAX> 17,375 <INCOME-TAX> 5,432 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 11,895 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 11,895 <EPS-BASIC> 0.49 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.35