<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 JANUARY 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1999
<CASH>                                             399
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    13205
<ALLOWANCES>                                       979
<INVENTORY>                                        656
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 15161
<PP&E>                                            1194
<DEPRECIATION>                                    3355
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   23964
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            14979
<BONDS>                                           3050
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             4184
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            64
<OTHER-SE>                                        1217
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     23964
<SALES>                                           5661
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  5661
<CGS>                                              961
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      961
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  6931
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   312
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 615
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (2846)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2846)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2846)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.44)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.44)