<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>    5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial statement information extracted from
Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 31, 1997 and 1996 and the Statement of
Operations for the years ended October 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000
       
<S>                               <C>              <C>              <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                            Year             Year             Year
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                 Oct-31-1997      Oct-31-1996      Oct-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                    Nov-01-1996      Nov-01-1995      Nov-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                      Oct-31-1997      Oct-31-1996      Oct-31-1995
<CASH>                                 20,694           22,340                0
<SECURITIES>                           18,386           17,181                0
<RECEIVABLES>                          40,947           44,412                0
<ALLOWANCES>                          (1,428)          (1,682)                0
<INVENTORY>                                 0                0                0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       81,983           86,955                0
<PP&E>                                 25,302           22,070                0
<DEPRECIATION>                       (17,314)         (14,247)                0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                        109,694          109,643                0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                  28,184           32,204                0
<BONDS>                                     0                0                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       0                0                0
<PREFERRED>                                 0                0                0
<COMMON>                                  178              175                0
<OTHER-SE>                             79,628           74,437                0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>          109,694          109,643                0
<SALES>                                89,517          101,326           90,495
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                       89,517          101,326           90,495
<CGS>                                       0                0                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                          88,355           87,873           73,035
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        1,899            (384)            (103)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                          538            4,485              183
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          0            (987)            (942)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         1,730           12,865           17,114
<INCOME-TAX>                            (351)            5,574            8,152
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     (169)           13,249           17,217
<DISCONTINUED>                              0                0                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                             0                0                0
<CHANGES>                                   0                0                0
<NET-INCOME>                            2,081            7,291            8,962
<EPS-PRIMARY>                            0.12             0.39             0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                            0.12             0.39             0.51
        

</TABLE>