<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND
CASH FLOWS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND NOTES THERETO.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          22,938
<SECURITIES>                                    30,470
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                57,511
<PP&E>                                          27,792
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (13,338)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  73,584
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,363
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        15,203
<OTHER-SE>                                      43,890
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    73,584
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                24,814
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,050
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,153
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,014  
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (10,967)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (10,967)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (10,967)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.73)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.73)