<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                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1996             MAR-21-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-30-1995             DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-27-1996             MAR-21-1997
<CASH>                                          33,761                  16,763
<SECURITIES>                                     8,460                   5,089
<RECEIVABLES>                                  137,055                 140,352
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,572                   2,836
<INVENTORY>                                      3,799                   4,038
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               199,190                 181,194
<PP&E>                                          41,795                  43,921
<DEPRECIATION>                                  26,818                  28,302
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 315,281                 318,188
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           94,731                  98,059
<BONDS>                                         37,313                  36,351
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        74,895                  74,945
<OTHER-SE>                                      55,486                  56,039
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   315,281                 318,188
<SALES>                                        906,247                 220,468
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               906,247                 220,468
<CGS>                                          791,877                 194,333
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  791,877                 194,333
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                86,994                  21,327
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,635                     243
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,253                     828
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,488                   3,737
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,038                   1,756
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,450                   1,981
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,450                   1,981
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.46                     .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.46                     .23
        

</TABLE>