<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF VIROGROUP,  INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 1997,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                              81
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,058
<ALLOWANCES>                                       449
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,982
<PP&E>                                           2,385
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,990
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   3,946
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,634
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             8
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,304
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     3,946
<SALES>                                          5,684
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 5,684
<CGS>                                            4,105
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    4,105
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,247
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 153
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,745)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        (1)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (1,746)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (1,746)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (2.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (2.20)