<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                                                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          78,807                  86,999                  24,663
<SECURITIES>                                    31,609                   4,453                   5,644
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,826                  13,038                   6,558
<ALLOWANCES>                                       288                       0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               161,832                 117,485                  40,064
<PP&E>                                          28,531                  13,747                   5,571
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,115                   3,784                   1,807
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 223,699                 138,656                  50,563
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           39,049                  20,508                   8,693
<BONDS>                                            671                     918                      39
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                         3,039                   2,637                   2,243
<OTHER-SE>                                     171,775                 111,721                  38,802
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   223,699                 138,656                  50,563
<SALES>                                              0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               170,318                  89,645                  30,988
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   90,075                  49,711                  17,642
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                51,132                  23,026                   8,330
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   288                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 234                     175                     305
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,183                  18,674                   5,056
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,270                   6,157                   1,436
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,880                  12,469                   2,890
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,880                  12,469                   2,890
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.69                    0.50                    0.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.57                    0.40                    0.13