<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 24,081,743 <SECURITIES> 5,643,535 <RECEIVABLES> 5,669,626 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 38,539,180 <PP&E> 5,465,394 <DEPRECIATION> 1,762,476 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 48,953,111 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 7,810,448 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 964,909 <OTHER-SE> 39,391,372 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 48,953,111 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 27,948,076 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 16,243,746 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 7,020,679 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 300,526 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,719,304 <INCOME-TAX> 1,401,244 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,318,060 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,587,687 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.22 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.22