<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          38,597
<SECURITIES>                                    70,436
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,883
<ALLOWANCES>                                        68
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               134,973
<PP&E>                                          17,983
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,447
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 149,788
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           86,940
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        12,014
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      38,538
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   149,788
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               291,827
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  235,567
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                58,733
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,773
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,897
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,876
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,876
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.34