<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                         211,514
<SECURITIES>                                    89,523
<RECEIVABLES>                                  428,432
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,462
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               792,127
<PP&E>                                         432,328<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,455,788
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          375,790
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          4
<COMMON>                                         1,089
<OTHER-SE>                                     869,226
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,455,788
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               480,708
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  723,002
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (230,556)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (86,786)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (126,354)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (126,354)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.22)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>PP&E BALANCE IS NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.
</FN>