<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FILED AS PART OF
THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996             OCT-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           4,268                     377
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,769                  56,878
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,345                  10,137
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                38,750                  52,052
<PP&E>                                          18,723                  18,035
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,198                  11,576
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  66,535                  78,804
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           44,711                  48,089
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                         21                      21
<COMMON>                                           119                     116
<OTHER-SE>                                      20,703                  29,916
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    66,535                  78,804
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               103,153                  91,657
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   51,841                  53,120
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                54,045                  73,491
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,338                  10,158
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,181                     802
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,738)                (45,266)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,228                (13,684)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,966)                (31,582)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,966)                (31,582)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.85)                  (2.76)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.85)                  (2.76)
        

</TABLE>