<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 31, 1997(unaudited) and 1996(unaudited)
and the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended July
31, 1997(unaudited) and 1996(unaudited) and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997             OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1996             NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1997             JAN-31-1996
<CASH>                                          18,008                  11,890
<SECURITIES>                                    17,299                  19,587
<RECEIVABLES>                                   44,983                  37,206
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,665)                   (509)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                86,854                  74,102
<PP&E>                                           7,649                   5,876
<DEPRECIATION>                                (14,784)                 (9,902)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 109,613                  95,299
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,652                  24,826
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           177                     170
<OTHER-SE>                                      80,619                  65,193
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   109,613                  95,299
<SALES>                                         22,272                  25,619
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                22,272                  25,619
<CGS>                                           18,945                  19,920
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  (17)                     283
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,206                   6,018
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,403                   2,408
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,206                   6,018
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,803                   3,610
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.10                    0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.10                    0.20