<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)