<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                          69,486
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  295,713
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,025
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               420,235
<PP&E>                                         157,229
<DEPRECIATION>                                  83,271
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 938,430
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          498,317
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            59
<OTHER-SE>                                      74,907
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   938,430
<SALES>                                        416,290
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               416,290
<CGS>                                          178,092
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  178,092
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               196,807
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,756
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,915
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,752
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,502
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,250
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,250
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.22<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.21
<FN>
<F1>Amount reported is EPS-BASIC
</FN>