<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ONLINE
SYSTEMS SERVICES, INC AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                       1,847,476
<SECURITIES>                                 2,701,625
<RECEIVABLES>                                  478,744
<ALLOWANCES>                                    78,606
<INVENTORY>                                    181,415
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             5,567,415
<PP&E>                                         727,505
<DEPRECIATION>                                 222,763
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,236,845
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          531,930
<BONDS>                                         24,717
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,965,140
<OTHER-SE>                                 (2,284,942)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,236,845
<SALES>                                        113,582
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               516,472
<CGS>                                           96,293
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  335,038
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (648,464)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (648,464)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (648,464)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.20)