You can limit the size of "data area"
using ulimit and limit.
Under sh or ksh:
$ ulimit -d SIZE_IN_KB
Displays all current resource limits
$ ulimit -a
under csh or tcsh:
$ limit datasize SIZE_IN_KB
Displays all current resource limits
$ limit
For example:
$ ulimit -d 141073
$ ulimit -a
NOTE: All tips provided are USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Tips are submitted
by various unix admins around the globe. UGU suggest you read and
test each tip in a non-volitile environment before placing into
production.