<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)