<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                         216,103
<SECURITIES>                                       106
<RECEIVABLES>                                  677,921
<ALLOWANCES>                                    32,355
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,460,358
<PP&E>                                          63,405<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,888,522
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          693,086
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          4
<COMMON>                                         1,089
<OTHER-SE>                                     903,284
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,888,522
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               122,202
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  235,933
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (105,338)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (40,028)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (65,310)
<DISCONTINUED>                                (14,056)<F2>
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (79,366)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.76)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>PP&E BALANCE IS NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.
<F2>NET OF TAXES ON EARNINGS OF $8218.
</FN>