<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 JULY 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> JUL-31-1999 <CASH> 59 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 17753 <ALLOWANCES> 1177 <INVENTORY> 612 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 19251 <PP&E> 1318 <DEPRECIATION> 3634 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 28465 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 16960 <BONDS> 3050 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 2996 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 67 <OTHER-SE> 4850 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 28465 <SALES> 27830 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 27830 <CGS> 3956 <TOTAL-COSTS> 3956 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 22831 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1033 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1420 <INCOME-PRETAX> (377) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (377) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (377) <EPS-BASIC> (0.07) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.07)