<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