<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS FILED ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           9,627
<SECURITIES>                                    48,032
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,699
<PP&E>                                          14,810
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (4,455)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  74,848
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,615
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        94,529
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    74,848
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,459
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   20,884
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                (21)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (6,993)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,993)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,993)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.52)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0