<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                          16,218
<SECURITIES>                                   154,566
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,810
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,241
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               190,442
<PP&E>                                          33,716
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,897
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 288,935
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           35,463
<BONDS>                                        140,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            26
<OTHER-SE>                                     113,162
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   288,935
<SALES>                                         46,115
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                64,400
<CGS>                                            4,571
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,535
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    60
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,798
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,768
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,030
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.43