<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       2,666,032
<SECURITIES>                                 7,597,162
<RECEIVABLES>                                  247,578
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    534,587
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            11,117,239
<PP&E>                                      13,377,085
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,972,474
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              22,064,904
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,043,772
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        94,116
<OTHER-SE>                                  56,586,958
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                22,064,904
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,471,859
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                8,311,598
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,738
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (6,345,943)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (6,345,943)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.72)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.72)