<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS OF VIROGROUP,  INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED  FEBRUARY 28,
1997,  AND  IS  QUALIFIED  IN  ITS  ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENCE  TO  SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                              58
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,765
<ALLOWANCES>                                       449
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3,153
<PP&E>                                           2,431
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,977
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   4,175
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,236
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             8
<OTHER-SE>                                      18,334
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     4,175
<SALES>                                          4,171
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 4,171
<CGS>                                            3,038
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,038
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,201
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 104
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,119)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,119)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,119)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.41)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.41)