<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-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                         307,941
<SECURITIES>                                   148,753
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,404,522
<ALLOWANCES>                                    47,493
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,967,036
<PP&E>                                          75,084<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,569,110
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,464,122
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,089
<OTHER-SE>                                     815,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,569,110
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               172,515
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  292,176
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (95,019)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (36,107)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (58,912)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (58,912)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.58)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.58)
<FN>
<F1>PP&E BALANCE IS NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.
</FN>