<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          12,451
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  178,136
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,837
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               209,978
<PP&E>                                          36,420
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 530,418
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           59,911
<BONDS>                                        216,787
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           328
<OTHER-SE>                                     245,482
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   530,418
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               458,299
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  348,271
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                82,030
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,081
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,694
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,532
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,162
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,162
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.41