<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          10,753
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  195,097
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,299
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               216,223
<PP&E>                                          42,341
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 554,365
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           64,880
<BONDS>                                        226,383
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           328
<OTHER-SE>                                     254,646
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   554,365
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               726,820
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  548,692
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               131,634
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,792
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,409
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,713
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,696
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,696
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.67