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