<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> Exhibit 27 This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the consolidated statement of financial condition, consolidated statement of income, and consolidated statement of cash flows included in the Company's form 10-K for the period ending August 31, 1999, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1999 <CASH> 31,837 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 14,399 <ALLOWANCES> 927 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 76,634 <PP&E> 21,383 <DEPRECIATION> 9,792 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 101,544 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 23,489 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 158 <OTHER-SE> 77,456 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 101,544 <SALES> 103,831 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 103,831 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 75,201 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 30,617 <INCOME-TAX> 12,052 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,565 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 18,565 <EPS-BASIC> 1.21<F1> <EPS-DILUTED> 1.11 <FN> <F1> FOR PURPOSES OF THIS STATEMENT, PRIMARY MEANS BASIC. </FN>