<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF VIROGROUP,  INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30,
1996,  AND  IS  QUALIFIED  IN  ITS  ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENCE  TO  SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                                              40
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,471
<ALLOWANCES>                                       492
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3,278
<PP&E>                                           2,591
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,091
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   6,504
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,777
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            64
<OTHER-SE>                                      18,278
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     6,504
<SALES>                                          2,695
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,695
<CGS>                                            1,910
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,910
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,106
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  43
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (331)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (331)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (331)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.05)