<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial informatino extracted from fiscal year
1995, 1996, and 1997 audited financial statements and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1995             SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1994             OCT-01-1995             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995             SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                               0                  26,976                  17,499
<SECURITIES>                                         0                  14,126                  41,969
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0                  15,355                  16,918
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                     860                   1,068
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0                  64,844                  93,076
<PP&E>                                               0                  25,553                  31,590
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                   8,096                  13,824
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       0                  92,145                 115,551
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0                  27,201                  34,298
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                  10,995                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                      18                      22
<OTHER-SE>                                           0                  52,425                  80,472
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         0                  92,145                 115,551
<SALES>                                         42,765                  82,836                 120,642
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                42,765                  82,836                 120,642
<CGS>                                           27,930                  43,283                  57,116
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,303                  76,938                 109,537
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,373                  33,655                  52,421
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (723)                 (1,408)                 (1,825)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,815)                   7,306                   2,930
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (638)                   6,110                 (2,050)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,177)                   1,196                   4,980
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,177)                   1,196                   4,980
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.08)                    0.07                    0.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.08)                    0.05                    0.21