<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheets at July 31, 1997 (unaudited) and 1996 (unaudited)
and the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine 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> 9-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1997 OCT-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1996 NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> JUL-31-1997 JUL-31-1996
<CASH> 20,892 12,038
<SECURITIES> 18,109 18,041
<RECEIVABLES> 38,112 51,217
<ALLOWANCES> 1,430 3,452
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 79,655 87,442
<PP&E> 24,054 18,490
<DEPRECIATION> 16,617 11,188
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 107,798 109,513
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 26,525 32,104
<BONDS> 0 0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0
<PREFERRED> 0 0
<COMMON> 177 167
<OTHER-SE> 79,352 71,129
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 107,798 109,513
<SALES> 64,483 77,261
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 64,483 77,261
<CGS> 64,327 68,713
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 184 3,219
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 721 7,824
<INCOME-TAX> (760) 3,209
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (641) 8,387
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,481 4,615
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0.08 0.25
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.08 0.25