<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
INCLUDED IN PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         $37,090
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,764
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                53,659
<PP&E>                                          11,753
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,901
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  68,903
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,742
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,400
<OTHER-SE>                                      50,761
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    68,903
<SALES>                                         39,483
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                39,483
<CGS>                                           24,199
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   32,362
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,381
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,017
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,364
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,364
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.20