<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                      24,155,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               27,290,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 6,129,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            53,260,000
<PP&E>                                      31,272,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              15,356,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              93,984,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       40,712,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       143,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  31,939,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                93,984,000
<SALES>                                     58,812,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           102,728,000
<CGS>                                        9,211,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               34,036,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            74,480,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             3,733,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,965,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (7,772,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,149,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (8,921,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (8,921,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.65