<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS IN THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          13,317
<SECURITIES>                                    12,475
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,803
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,169
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                37,512
<PP&E>                                           6,357
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,409
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  40,766
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,577
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        39,034
<OTHER-SE>                                     (6,114)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    40,766
<SALES>                                         19,388
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                19,388
<CGS>                                            2,066
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,823
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                15,372
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   142
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (687)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    649
<INCOME-TAX>                                       136
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                274
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       274
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .03