<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>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                      15,545,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               33,703,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,830,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            55,216,000
<PP&E>                                      29,164,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               9,970,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              94,457,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       36,962,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       138,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  35,653,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                94,457,000
<SALES>                                     61,805,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           110,499,000
<CGS>                                        8,864,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               35,671,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            82,443,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             2,455,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,100,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (9,430,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (1,819,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (7,611,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                            (2,382,000)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (9,993,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.76)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.76)