<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF VIROGROUP, INC. FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1996 <CASH> 191 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 4,605 <ALLOWANCES> 503 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 4,525 <PP&E> 2,549 <DEPRECIATION> 2,006 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 7,916 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 4,858 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 64 <OTHER-SE> 18,278 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 7,916 <SALES> 13,987 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 13,987 <CGS> 9,420 <TOTAL-COSTS> 9,420 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (5,705) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 81 <INCOME-PRETAX> (1,376) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,376) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (1,376) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.22) <EPS-DILUTED> (.22)