<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1998
<CASH>                                          26,499
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  243,867
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (11,860)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               262,669
<PP&E>                                          83,737
<DEPRECIATION>                                (53,193)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 426,314
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          147,255
<BONDS>                                        100,397
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           150
<OTHER-SE>                                     156,227
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   426,314
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               207,484
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  130,262
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                62,816
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   135
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,582
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,689
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,389
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,389
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.40