<ARTICLE>                     5

<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FILED AS
PART OF THE QUARTERELY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH QUARTERLY REPORT
ON FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>                        1,000
       

                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                       9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                  SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                              2,230
<SECURITIES>                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                           0
<ALLOWANCES>                            0
<INVENTORY>                             0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    2,242
<PP&E>                              1,007
<DEPRECIATION>                        749
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                      3,046
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 474
<BONDS>                                 0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                   0
<PREFERRED>                             0
<COMMON>                               34
<OTHER-SE>                          2,485
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>        3,046
<SALES>                                 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                        0
<CGS>                                   0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       2,655
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     18
<INCOME-PRETAX>                   (2,636)
<INCOME-TAX>                            0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>               (2,636)
<DISCONTINUED>                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                         0
<CHANGES>                               0
<NET-INCOME>                      (2,636)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                      (1.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                      (1.10)