<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF SPINE-TECH, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         887,258
<SECURITIES>                                16,664,296
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,074,750
<ALLOWANCES>                                    60,583
<INVENTORY>                                  6,539,757
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            20,420,971
<PP&E>                                       5,911,644
<DEPRECIATION>                                 413,477
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              31,170,191
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,302,020
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        98,828
<OTHER-SE>                                  29,769,343
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                31,170,191
<SALES>                                      4,470,955
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,470,955
<CGS>                                        1,601,283
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,601,283
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             6,330,280
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,389,179)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,389,179)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,389,179)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.24)