<ARTICLE>                                      5
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
       
                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Dec-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   Sep-30-1996
<CASH>                                         4449
<SECURITIES>                                   16861
<RECEIVABLES>                                  10451<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    4169
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               36359
<PP&E>                                         7425<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 50036
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          9523
<BONDS>                                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       87
<OTHER-SE>                                     34933
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   50036
<SALES>                                        9361
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               12145
<CGS>                                          3956
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  6359
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               1649<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             125
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                1065
<INCOME-TAX>                                   90
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            0
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   975
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  .10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .10



<FN>
<F1>Net of  allowance  for doubtful  accounts,  consistent  with  balance  sheet
presentation.
<F2>Net of accumulated depreciation, consistent with balance sheet
presentation.
<F3>Research and development expenses
</FN>