<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE AS OF AND FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
(Columnar Dallars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          55,065
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,391
<ALLOWANCES>                                       244
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               117,261
<PP&E>                                         110,920
<DEPRECIATION>                                  41,895
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 238,285
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           71,092
<BONDS>                                          5,714
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           633
<OTHER-SE>                                     158,246
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   238,285
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               317,210
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  180,380
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                86,220
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,279
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,124
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 45,911
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,163
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,748
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,748
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52