<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ABR INFORMATION SERVICES INC. FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-31-1998 <PERIOD-START> AUG-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 34,513,809 <SECURITIES> 107,553,794 <RECEIVABLES> 10,614,289 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 155,706,227 <PP&E> 43,259,254 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 237,506,214 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 29,883,315 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 274,035 <OTHER-SE> 201,563,805 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 237,506,214 <SALES> 31,946,082 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 31,946,082 <CGS> 18,177,322 <TOTAL-COSTS> 5,988,527 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (2,803,277) <INCOME-PRETAX> 11,723,811 <INCOME-TAX> 4,071,876 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,651,935 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,651,935 <EPS-PRIMARY> .28 <EPS-DILUTED> .27