<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                      12,952,982
<SECURITIES>                                 2,026,040
<RECEIVABLES>                                  369,272
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    847,040
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            18,043,233
<PP&E>                                       8,586,272
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,403,865
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,332,289
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,956,385
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       127,191
<OTHER-SE>                                  19,436,959
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                25,332,289
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,618,289
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                9,408,159<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (641,092)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (7,683,692)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    63,435
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (7,747,127)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (7,747,127)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.67)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.67)
        
<FN>
<F1>
TOTAL COSTS INCLUDES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES AND COST OF REVENUES. 
BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE COMPANY'S OPERATIONS, MANAGEMENT IS OF THE OPINION 
THAT IT IS NOT MEANINGFUL TO SEGREGATE THESE COSTS.
</FN>