<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOUND IN 
THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED 
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                             537
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    18305
<ALLOWANCES>                                      7020
<INVENTORY>                                        990
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 20520
<PP&E>                                            1271
<DEPRECIATION>                                    4092
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   29088
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            24600
<BONDS>                                           3050
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            64
<OTHER-SE>                                         683
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     29088
<SALES>                                          36959
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 36959
<CGS>                                             6475
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     6475
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 45323
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  7252
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1317
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (16156)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      4061
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (20217)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (20217)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (3.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (3.24)