<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ARDENT'S
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                      24,167,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               24,589,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 3,351,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            52,101,000
<PP&E>                                      21,320,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              14,733,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              82,804,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       39,014,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       157,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  43,633,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                82,804,000
<SALES>                                     70,200,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           119,260,000
<CGS>                                        7,953,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               30,464,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            84,218,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               860,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             389,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,768,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 3,131,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,637,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  1,637,00
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.10