<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, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> APR-30-1999 <CASH> 154 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 15142 <ALLOWANCES> 976 <INVENTORY> 696 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 16818 <PP&E> 1151 <DEPRECIATION> 3518 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 25879 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 16636 <BONDS> 3050 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 4166 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 64 <OTHER-SE> 1159 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 25879 <SALES> 15206 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 15206 <CGS> 2363 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2363 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 14654 <LOSS-PROVISION> 562 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1089 <INCOME-PRETAX> (2900) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (2900) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (2900) <EPS-BASIC> (0.46) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.46)