<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          15,767
<SECURITIES>                                     8,439
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,028
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                46,254
<PP&E>                                           8,352
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,157
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  79,625
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,543
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            75
<OTHER-SE>                                      50,274
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    79,625
<SALES>                                         44,233
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                44,233
<CGS>                                           25,818
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   39,004
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (310)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 425
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,114
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,451
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,663
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,140)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,523
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.33
<FN>
Earnings per share basic (EPS-PRIMARY) and diluted reflects the adjustment
for income taxes as if the company were a C Corporation for the entire period. 
</FN>