<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998             JUL-31-1997             JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1997             AUG-01-1996             AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997             OCT-31-1996             JUL-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,292                   1,372                   1,326
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   26,865                  15,260                  21,483
<ALLOWANCES>                                       814                     423                     616
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                32,290                  17,954                  26,091
<PP&E>                                          12,956                   6,922                  12,640
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,506                   3,622                   6,853
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 111,284                  51,357                  88,151
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,795                   9,677                  14,663
<BONDS>                                         53,933                   9,040                  32,388
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0                       0
<COMMON>                                            74                      67                      73
<OTHER-SE>                                      42,482                  32,523                  41,027
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   111,284                  51,357                  88,151
<SALES>                                         46,550                  26,900                 131,867
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                46,550                  26,900                 131,867
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   44,033                  25,603                  87,193
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 828                     271                   1,481
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,689                   1,026                   6,332
<INCOME-TAX>                                       722                     408                   2,485
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                967                     618                    3847
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                   (335)                   (335)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       967                     283                    3512
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.13                    0.05                    0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.13                    0.05                    0.51
        

</TABLE>