<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                      14,266,834
<SECURITIES>                                 7,890,320
<RECEIVABLES>                                  801,088
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    740,416
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            25,075,596
<PP&E>                                       8,861,289
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,681,720
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              32,311,840
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        5,527,455
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       142,660
<OTHER-SE>                                  25,277,775
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                32,311,840
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,023,972
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,746,918<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (197,004)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,452,950)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,452,950)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,452,950)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.18)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.18)
<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>