<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           6,379
<SECURITIES>                                    10,075
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,505
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (675)
<INVENTORY>                                        455
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                44,251
<PP&E>                                          12,048
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (5,304)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  97,471
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,207
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            19
<OTHER-SE>                                      85,652
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    97,471
<SALES>                                         18,481
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                18,481
<CGS>                                            5,041
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,041
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  26
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,465
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,282
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,183
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,183
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .11