<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM OCTOBER 30,
1997 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                          91,704
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,102
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,476
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               133,553
<PP&E>                                          10,357
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,062
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 159,953
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           63,102
<BONDS>                                         20,788
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            65
<OTHER-SE>                                      75,998
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   159,953
<SALES>                                         80,175
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               109,254
<CGS>                                            1,712
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  126,133
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   408
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,201
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (21,080)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,893
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (22,973)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (22,973)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.49)<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.49)<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>