<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THIS QUARTERLY REPORT AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                          49,817                  49,817
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,302                  11,302
<ALLOWANCES>                                       692                     692
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                62,669                  62,669
<PP&E>                                           5,120                   5,120
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,005                   2,005
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  72,959                  72,959
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,988                   8,988
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           138                     138
<OTHER-SE>                                      63,388                  63,388
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    72,959                  72,959
<SALES>                                          5,842                  18,941
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 5,842                  18,941
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,870                   5,050
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,751                   4,951
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    53                     205
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (692)                     (7)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (259)                      14
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (433)                    (21)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (433)                    (21)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.04)                     .00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.04)                     .00
        

</TABLE>