<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AT APRIL 30, 2000 AND STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL
30, 2000 AS FILED ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-2000
<CASH>                                         114,675
<SECURITIES>                                    55,441
<RECEIVABLES>                                  280,748
<ALLOWANCES>                                    12,000
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               504,622
<PP&E>                                         184,389
<DEPRECIATION>                                  93,478
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,024,390
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          360,327
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           111
<OTHER-SE>                                     526,955
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,024,390
<SALES>                                        165,029
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               462,755
<CGS>                                           27,026
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  207,736
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               291,549
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,490
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 155
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,944)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,459)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,485)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,485)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.02)