<ARTICLE>                    5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>              1,000
       
                                
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                       SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                                  14,355
<SECURITIES>                                            19,856
<RECEIVABLES>                                           23,686
<ALLOWANCES>                                                 0
<INVENTORY>                                              4,785
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        64,881
<PP&E>                                                   7,104
<DEPRECIATION>                                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                          89,982
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    7,734
<BONDS>                                                    260
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                  0
<COMMON>                                                   471
<OTHER-SE>                                              77,597
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                            89,982
<SALES>                                                 39,523
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                        48,374
<CGS>                                                    6,303
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                           31,735
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                             0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                         234
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         16,405
<INCOME-TAX>                                             4,614
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     11,791
<DISCONTINUED>                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                            11,791
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                             0.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                             0.23