10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Leases - The Company leases building and office space and computer equipment under various operating lease agreements extending through fiscal 2005. Certain of these leases contain provisions for renewal options and escalation clauses. The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments for the next five years (in thousands):

Lease expense for the years ended March 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 under all operating leases amounted to approximately $27,720,000, $19,193,000 and $16,815,000, respectively.

Employment Contracts - The Company has entered into employment agreements with certain key employees that include noncompete provisions in exchange for specified terms of employment.

  Annual Report 1999