<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                       1,690,434
<SECURITIES>                                16,868,039
<RECEIVABLES>                                  325,592
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    737,006
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            20,019,390
<PP&E>                                      10,195,462
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,472,701
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              26,347,857
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,366,463
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    82,773,866
<OTHER-SE>                                  57,797,614<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                26,347,857
<SALES>                                         29,554
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               672,677
<CGS>                                           11,765
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             2,599,952
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,927,275)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (1,927,275)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (1,927,275)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.15)
<EPS-DILUTED>                               13,290,058
<FN>
<F1>This represents deficit accumulated during development stage.
</FN>