<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997, SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997, NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997, AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS                   9-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997            DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1997            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997             JUN-30-1997             SEP-30-1997            DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          25,911                  45,982                  26,624                 21,963
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,154                   4,299                   5,716                  7,222
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0                       0                  1,188
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0                      0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                32,307                  52,811                  36,272                 37,283
<PP&E>                                           3,561                   3,721                   6,416                  9,804
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0                       0                  3,512
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 185,014                 203,840                 209,655                150,871
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,131                  23,092                  22,266                 26,067
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                       0                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                     101                       0                      0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0                      0
<COMMON>                                           101                       0                     101                    101
<OTHER-SE>                                     116,645                 119,529                 122,583                 60,175
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   185,014                 203,840                 209,655                150,871
<SALES>                                              0                       0                       0                158,726
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                37,835                  76,035                 117,169                158,726
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0                 96,009
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   32,162                  64,838                 100,286                205,015
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (45)                    (61)                    (66)                      2
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 708                   1,446                   2,229                  2,514
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,171                  10,227                  15,214               (48,805)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,332                   4,504                   6,559                  4,900
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,839                   5,723                   8,655               (53,705)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,839                   5,723                   8,655               (53,705)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .28                     .57                     .86                 (5.32)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .28                     .57                     .85                 (5.32)


</TABLE>