<ARTICLE> 5 <RESTATED> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1998 <CASH> 7,496 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 42,179 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 52,779 <PP&E> 2,924 <DEPRECIATION> 124 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 258,785 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 29,403 <BONDS> 12,205 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2 <OTHER-SE> 217,175 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 258,785 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 0 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 21,080 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,051 <INCOME-PRETAX> (20,605) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (20,605) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (20,605) <EPS-BASIC> (1.17) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.17)