<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 26,513,000 <SECURITIES> 39,467,000 <RECEIVABLES> 13,864,000 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 82,164,000 <PP&E> 14,499,000 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 99,158,000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 37,529,000 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,000 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 99,158,000 <SALES> 36,010,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 36,010,000 <CGS> 14,342,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 14,342,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,000 <INCOME-PRETAX> 6,233,000 <INCOME-TAX> 2,119,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,114,000 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,114,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> .19 <EPS-DILUTED> .19