<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF SPINE-TECH, INC. FOR THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                       1,970,537
<SECURITIES>                                19,396,505
<RECEIVABLES>                                7,408,558
<ALLOWANCES>                                   161,862
<INVENTORY>                                  5,627,447
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            33,659,863
<PP&E>                                       7,408,447
<DEPRECIATION>                                 710,680
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              41,557,630
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,496,051
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       101,036
<OTHER-SE>                                  36,960,543
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                41,557,630
<SALES>                                     23,642,941
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            23,642,941
<CGS>                                        5,400,636
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                5,400,636
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            11,744,871
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              6,902,315
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,763,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          4,139,315
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 4,139,315
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .35