<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY TO REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   9-MOS                   6-MOS                   3-MOS
<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>                               DEC-31-1997             SEP-30-1997             JUN-30-1997             MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                          83,153                  32,853                  36,594                  43,799
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   61,684                  53,746                  43,984                  40,789
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,215                   1,267                   1,132                     869
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               152,990                  93,347                  88,035                  91,068
<PP&E>                                          11,672                   9,963                   8,574                   7,565
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,580                   2,670                   2,123                   1,794
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 164,007                 102,939                  95,278                  97,550
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,177                  36,634                  35,465                  41,033
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                           263                     244                     244                     244
<OTHER-SE>                                     120,367                 102,695                  95,034                  97,306
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   164,007                 102,939                  95,278                  97,550
<SALES>                                              0                       0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               247,176                 173,009                 107,205                  49,714
<CGS>                                          172,274                 121,726                  76,256                  35,642
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  221,009                 155,606                   9,415                  46,098
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   518                     389                     258                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,000                     447                     312                     250
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0                       0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,379                  18,293                  10,561                   4,024
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,231                   7,354                   4,206                   1,698
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,148                  10,939                   6,355                   2,326
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,148                  10,939                   6,355                   2,326
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.34                    0.24                    0.14                    0.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.34                    0.24                    0.14                    0.05
        

</TABLE>