<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>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          13,374
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  192,083
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,159
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               218,948
<PP&E>                                          57,055
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,214
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 605,149
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           87,560
<BONDS>                                        246,883
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           329
<OTHER-SE>                                     262,268
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   605,149
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,008,059
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  757,718
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               191,308
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,596
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 46,212
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,409
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,803
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,803
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.82