<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND THE
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          37,962
<SECURITIES>                                    38,230
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,885<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                98,110
<PP&E>                                           8,001<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 152,269
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,847
<BONDS>                                          2,799
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           148
<OTHER-SE>                                     131,835
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   152,269
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                56,339
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   42,196
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (1,457)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 142
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,458
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,246
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,212
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,212
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .65      
<FN>
<F1>AMOUNTS FOR RECEIVABLES AND PROPERTY PLANT AND EQUIPMENT ARE NET OF ANY
ALLOWANCES AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION.
</FN>