<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                         123,494                 127,516                  65,222
<SECURITIES>                                   233,066                 180,787                 143,614
<RECEIVABLES>                                  118,646                  84,842                  58,993
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,662)                 (4,077)                 (3,429)
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               421,297                 374,219                 259,310
<PP&E>                                          89,551                  65,491                  47,576
<DEPRECIATION>                                (60,981)                (36,630)                (26,425)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 641,670                 474,892                 337,346
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          213,586                 126,252                  79,807
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              699                     676                     663
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     414,199                 340,223                 248,652
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   641,670                 474,892                 337,346
<SALES>                                        600,803                 435,998                 286,943
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               600,803                 435,998                 286,943
<CGS>                                          112,196                  80,205                  50,384
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  423,498                 244,171                 168,854
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 79,885                 121,481                  76,585
<INCOME-TAX>                                    62,162                  52,274                  26,819
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,723                  69,207                  49,766
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,723                  69,207                  49,766
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.26                    1.03                    0.76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.24                    0.94                    0.71
        

</TABLE>