WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE>                           5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  IN THE  COMPANY'S  1997 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                        1,000
       
                                                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                       YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                      OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                        SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                                   13,209
<SECURITIES>                                                              6,108
<RECEIVABLES>                                                            36,905
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                758
<INVENTORY>                                                                   0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                         81,830
<PP&E>                                                                   63,475
<DEPRECIATION>                                                           28,989
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                          145,228
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                    34,103
<BONDS>                                                                   1,183
<COMMON>                                                                    135
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                                   0
<OTHER-SE>                                                              103,054
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                            145,228
<SALES>                                                                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                        199,009
<CGS>                                                                         0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                            72,566
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                         29,162
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                            438
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                          336
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                          35,546
<INCOME-TAX>                                                             14,860
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                      20,686
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                                             20,686
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                              1.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                              1.45
        
<F1>The 1997 presentation contains reclassifications as compared to 1996.