<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-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED APRIL 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> APR-30-1998 <CASH> 405 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 14841 <ALLOWANCES> 1003 <INVENTORY> 1050 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 17097 <PP&E> 1159 <DEPRECIATION> 4449 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 26093 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 25054 <BONDS> 3050 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 64 <OTHER-SE> (2693) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 26093 <SALES> 16816 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 16816 <CGS> 2937 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2937 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 16194 <LOSS-PROVISION> 375 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 777 <INCOME-PRETAX> (3417) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (3417) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (3417) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.53) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.53)