<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 31,204 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 49,927 <ALLOWANCES> 2,295 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 82,159 <PP&E> 12,020 <DEPRECIATION> 4,341 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 206,583 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 26,328 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 186 <OTHER-SE> 179,628 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 206,583 <SALES> 121,557 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 121,557 <CGS> 94,637 <TOTAL-COSTS> 18,355 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 435 <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,283 <INCOME-TAX> 3,396 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,887 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,887 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.28 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.28