<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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           9,868
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  163,458
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,658
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               178,363
<PP&E>                                          25,326
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 695,852
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,736
<BONDS>                                        375,432
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           331
<OTHER-SE>                                     275,406
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   695,852
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               182,825
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  124,278
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                42,604
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,946
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,976
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,031
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,945
<DISCONTINUED>                                   1,862
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,807
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.27