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
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             135
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                            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>                                    1.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    1.46
<F1>
               The financial  data for fiscal year ended  September 30, 1997 has
               been  restated for the effects of Financial  Accounting  Standard
               No. 128 Earnings per Share.