<ARTICLE>        5
<LEGEND>
                 The schedule contains summary financial information
                 extracted from the consolidated balance sheets and
                 consolidated statements of operations and is qualified in
                 its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>     1,000
       
                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                       12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                   OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                        OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                              22,197
<SECURITIES>                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                       82,685
<ALLOWANCES>                        4,909
<INVENTORY>                         1,470
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    144,924
<PP&E>                              33,667
<DEPRECIATION>                      23,899
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                      359,352
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>               196,427
<BONDS>                             119,405
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>               0
<PREFERRED>                         0
<COMMON>                            185
<OTHER-SE>                          43,965
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>        359,352
<SALES>                             445,119
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                    445,119
<CGS>                               389,767
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       389,767
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    10,110
<LOSS-PROVISION>                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                  14,899
<INCOME-PRETAX>                     (31,770)
<INCOME-TAX>                        1,099
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                 (32,869)
<DISCONTINUED>                      (6,000)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                     0
<CHANGES>                           (11,082)
<NET-INCOME>                        (49,951)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                       (0.37)
<EPS-DILUTED>                       (0.29)