<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  IN THE  COMPANY'S  2000 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                              OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           39,506
<SECURITIES>                                     19,109
<RECEIVABLES>                                    42,755
<ALLOWANCES>                                      1,130
<INVENTORY>                                           0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                137,212
<PP&E>                                          112,663
<DEPRECIATION>                                   64,098
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  241,288
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            36,518
<BONDS>                                               0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<COMMON>                                            148
<OTHER-SE>                                      198,853
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    241,288
<SALES>                                               0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                297,985
<CGS>                                                 0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   128,316
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                125,055
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    218
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   75
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  47,070
<INCOME-TAX>                                     19,439
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              27,631
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                     27,631
<EPS-BASIC>                                        1.94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      1.89