<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM JULY 31, 
1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1997
<CASH>                                         108,021
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,670
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,276
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               145,398
<PP&E>                                           9,179
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,329
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 172,536
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           63,418
<BONDS>                                         42,401
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            63
<OTHER-SE>                                      66,654
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   172,536
<SALES>                                         50,590
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                67,153
<CGS>                                            1,168
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   84,562
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   258
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,306
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (21,715)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,172
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (22,887)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (22,887)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.59)<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.59)<F2>
<FN>
<F1>For purposes of this exhibit, primary means basic.
<F2>Amounts have been restated to comply with the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share."
</FN>