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