<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998 JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 DEC-31-1997 <CASH> 39,182 10,079 <SECURITIES> 46,770 44,522 <RECEIVABLES> 491,242 345,958 <ALLOWANCES> 0 0 <INVENTORY> 0 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 577,194 400,559 <PP&E> 9,900 3,066 <DEPRECIATION> (3,046) (548) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 676,314 422,232 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 511,564 269,650 <BONDS> 0 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 29 29 <OTHER-SE> 146,684 138,393 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 676,314 422,232 <SALES> 67,577 60,476 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 67,577 60,476 <CGS> 0 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 53,766 24,755 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 13,819 35,721 <INCOME-TAX> 5,528 15,001 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,291 20,720 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 8,291 20,720 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.29 0.91 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.29 0.91