<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 40,746 <SECURITIES> 109,850 <RECEIVABLES> 54,832 <ALLOWANCES> (4,441) <INVENTORY> 326 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 153,446 <PP&E> 28,039 <DEPRECIATION> (13,442) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 258,574 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 23,444 <BONDS> 100,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 26 <OTHER-SE> 134,940 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 258,574 <SALES> 47,750 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 47,750 <CGS> 16,542 <TOTAL-COSTS> 16,542 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 22,105 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (1,418) <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,715 <INCOME-TAX> 3,605 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,110 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,110 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.24 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.24