<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-03-1999 <PERIOD-START> OCT-04-1998 <PERIOD-END> JUL-04-1999 <CASH> 9,293 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 156,942 <ALLOWANCES> 7,279 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 171,949 <PP&E> 36,881 <DEPRECIATION> 18,578 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 345,028 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 87,971 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 381 <OTHER-SE> 221,340 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 345,028 <SALES> 157,091 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 157,091 <CGS> 124,541 <TOTAL-COSTS> 124,541 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 649 <INCOME-PRETAX> 15,049 <INCOME-TAX> 6,546 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,503 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 8,503 <EPS-BASIC> 0.22 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.21