<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AT MARCH 31, 1997, AND CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000352331
<NAME> VERN D. CHILD
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                             878
<SECURITIES>                                    16,104
<RECEIVABLES>                                       66
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,382
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                18,670
<PP&E>                                          16,486
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,939
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  30,805
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,732
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            20
<OTHER-SE>                                      29,053
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    30,805
<SALES>                                            195
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,087
<CGS>                                              215
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      215
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,743
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,663)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,663)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,663)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.08)