<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 4-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1997 <CASH> 9,169 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 103,282 <ALLOWANCES> (4,675) <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 120,384 <PP&E> 32,376 <DEPRECIATION> (16,551) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 179,847 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 62,343 <BONDS> 55,707 <COMMON> 88 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 58,919 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 179,847 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 95,541 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 57,003 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 33,418 <LOSS-PROVISION> 39 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,435 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,646 <INCOME-TAX> 1,450 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,196 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,196 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.22 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.22