<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 ON FORM 10Q 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-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          25,203                  25,203
<SECURITIES>                                    29,661                  29,661
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,328                  15,328
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,406                   2,406
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                68,494                  68,494
<PP&E>                                           6,556                   6,556
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,960                   2,960
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  78,313                  78,313
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,508                  12,508
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           139                     139
<OTHER-SE>                                      65,666                  65,666
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    78,313                  78,313
<SALES>                                          9,205                  24,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 9,205                  24,300
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,082                   6,087
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,042                   5,351
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   266                   1,037
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    402                   1,528
<INCOME-TAX>                                       109                     513
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                293                   1,015  
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       293                   1,015
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .02                     .08 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .02                     .08
        

</TABLE>