<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-29-1995             DEC-27-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1994             DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-29-1995             DEC-27-1996
<CASH>                                          20,215                  33,761
<SECURITIES>                                    19,396                   8,460
<RECEIVABLES>                                  116,692                 137,055
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,881                   2,572
<INVENTORY>                                      2,516                   3,799
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               176,536                 199,190
<PP&E>                                          35,636                  41,795
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,619                  26,818
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 290,909                 315,281
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           86,311                  94,731
<BONDS>                                         34,275                  37,313
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                         15                       0
<COMMON>                                        74,471                  74,895
<OTHER-SE>                                      39,239                  55,486
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   290,909                 315,281
<SALES>                                        862,793                 906,247
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               862,793                 906,247
<CGS>                                          771,172                 791,877
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  771,172                 791,877
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                69,011                  86,994
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,719                   1,635
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,870                   2,253
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,021                  23,488
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,521                  11,038
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,500                  12,450
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,500                  12,450
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.26                    1.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.26                    1.46
        

</TABLE>