<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1997
<CASH>                                         199,539
<SECURITIES>                                    70,382
<RECEIVABLES>                                  695,145
<ALLOWANCES>                                    15,058
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,047,741
<PP&E>                                         433,016<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,718,812
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          688,103
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          4
<COMMON>                                         1,089
<OTHER-SE>                                     822,506
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,718,812
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               843,772
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,133,159
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (289,387)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (102,716)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (151,680)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (151,680)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.46)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>PP&E Balance is net of accumulated depreciation and amortization.
</FN>