<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                             YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996                       DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997                       JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997                       DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          11,368                             8,826
<SECURITIES>                                    29,670                             2,617
<RECEIVABLES>                                      182                                 0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                                 0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                                 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                41,590                            16,977
<PP&E>                                           1,630                               981
<DEPRECIATION>                                     115                                57
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  43,487                            18,321
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            4,391                             6,240
<BONDS>                                              0                             1,535
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                            28,355
<COMMON>                                            10                                 1
<OTHER-SE>                                      36,873                          (17,810)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    43,487                            18,321
<SALES>                                              0                                 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0                                 0
<CGS>                                                0                                 0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                                 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,519                            13,681
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 113                                 0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,994)                          (15,338)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                                 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,994)                          (15,338)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                                 0
<CHANGES>                                            0                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,994)                          (15,338)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.48)                            (2.03)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                                 0