<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
INCLUDED IN PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           5,298
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,793
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                24,729
<PP&E>                                          28,389
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,166
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  92,876
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,755
<BONDS>                                         10,157
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,352
<OTHER-SE>                                      68,592
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    92,876
<SALES>                                         43,803
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                43,803
<CGS>                                           24,075
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   35,394
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 753
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,040
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,894
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,146
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,146
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .80