<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SEPTEMBER
30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                      12,081,963
<SECURITIES>                                 5,516,110
<RECEIVABLES>                               13,855,630
<ALLOWANCES>                                   400,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            32,652,425
<PP&E>                                      10,161,372
<DEPRECIATION>                               5,642,691
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              69,262,953
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        8,234,640
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        84,525
<OTHER-SE>                                  58,875,076
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                69,262,953
<SALES>                                     27,251,326
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            27,251,326
<CGS>                                        7,295,589
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,295,589
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            14,915,863
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              5,479,448
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,192,725
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,286,723
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,286,723
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .38