WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  


<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                      98,444,138
<SECURITIES>                                52,452,604
<RECEIVABLES>                               50,915,028
<ALLOWANCES>                                 6,255,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           216,805,426
<PP&E>                                     104,189,311
<DEPRECIATION>                              20,429,480
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             423,971,962
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       61,589,448
<BONDS>                                    100,000,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       231,993
<OTHER-SE>                                 244,799,845
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               423,971,962
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           133,277,831
<CGS>                                      101,074,107
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              123,569,140
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,623,412
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (205,655)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              9,914,346
<INCOME-TAX>                                 3,399,283
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          4,891,651
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 4,891,651
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.14