<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE JULY 31,
1996 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR
THE YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                          63,387
<SECURITIES>                                    13,069
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,666
<ALLOWANCES>                                       442
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                90,566
<PP&E>                                          14,657
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,196
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 109,503
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,557
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            92
<OTHER-SE>                                      53,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   109,503
<SALES>                                         28,485
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                28,485
<CGS>                                           19,437
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   49,059
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (2,691)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,995
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,673
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,322
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,322
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.45