<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AT JULY 31, 1999 AND STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY
31, 1999 AS FILED ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1999
<CASH>                                          78,451
<SECURITIES>                                    51,952
<RECEIVABLES>                                  260,914
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,300
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               424,059
<PP&E>                                         161,615
<DEPRECIATION>                                  77,455
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 925,314
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          315,934
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           107
<OTHER-SE>                                     587,963
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   925,314
<SALES>                                        211,752
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               686,597
<CGS>                                           20,217
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  328,062
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               421,599
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,055
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 770
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (48,371)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (9,017)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (39,354)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (39,354)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.38)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.38)