<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                      12,500,209
<SECURITIES>                                 6,274,840
<RECEIVABLES>                                  512,660
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    675,545
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            22,681,360
<PP&E>                                       9,157,038
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,142,154
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              29,747,926
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        5,483,565
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       142,162
<OTHER-SE>                                  22,666,943
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                29,747,926
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,931,087
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                6,522,420<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (591,894)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (4,984,994)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   120,833
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (5,105,827)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (5,105,827)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.37)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.37)
<FN>
<F1>TOTAL COSTS INCLUDES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES AND COST OF REVENUES.
BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE COMPANY'S OPERATIONS, MANAGMENT IS OF THE OPINION
THAT IT IS NOT MEANINGFUL TO SEGREGATE THESE COSTS.
</FN>