<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          36,258
<SECURITIES>                                     4,071
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                40,967
<PP&E>                                           8,555
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (4,359)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  45,779
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            4,484
<BONDS>                                            543
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            10
<OTHER-SE>                                      71,132
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    45,779
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 8,302
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    8,302
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,992
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 110
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,417)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,417)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,417)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0