<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> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1999
<CASH>                                         168,182
<SECURITIES>                                    43,831
<RECEIVABLES>                                  801,346
<ALLOWANCES>                                    73,608
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,108,949
<PP&E>                                         135,695<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,273,515
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          868,208
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,089
<OTHER-SE>                                     947,569
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,273,515
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               331,506
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  468,763
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (131,954)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (50,143)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (81,811)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (81,811)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.84)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.84)
<FN>
<F1>PP&E BALANCE IS NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.
</FN>