<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT6S CONTAINED IN THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                       8,083,986
<SECURITIES>                                14,906,933
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,899,782
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    399,928
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            26,785,086
<PP&E>                                       5,718,768
<DEPRECIATION>                             (2,479,677)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              31,183,002
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        8,020,703
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       11,462,963
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     3,266,874
<OTHER-SE>                                   7,918,291
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         0
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            34,379,973
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               22,237,253
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             12,142,720
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,850,528
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 7,292,192
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.27