<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED
EARNINGS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                          25,758
<SECURITIES>                                    13,843
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,113
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (495)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                46,091
<PP&E>                                          19,536
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (6,736)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 188,331
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           15,441
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,000
<OTHER-SE>                                     122,164
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   188,331
<SALES>                                         46,136
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                70,415
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   39,089
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47,763
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,563
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,200
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.93