<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF SPINE-TECH, INC. FOR THE
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                            1724
<SECURITIES>                                     13210
<RECEIVABLES>                                     3338
<ALLOWANCES>                                       187
<INVENTORY>                                       6982
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 24053
<PP&E>                                            6842
<DEPRECIATION>                                     373
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   34058
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             1412
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            99
<OTHER-SE>                                       32547
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     34058
<SALES>                                          10153
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 10153
<CGS>                                             2849
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     2849
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 10458
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1931)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1684)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (247)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (247)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.02)