<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENSES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE YEAR-TO-DATE
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-29-1996
<CASH>                                          17,244
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,155
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,749
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                52,535
<PP&E>                                          10,149
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,133
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  58,570
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,764
<BONDS>                                             89
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           182
<OTHER-SE>                                      45,457
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    58,570
<SALES>                                        142,768
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               142,768
<CGS>                                           63,716
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   63,716
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                71,899
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 126
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,882
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,707
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,175
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,175
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .55