<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC. CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE INTERIM
PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 INCLUDED IN FORM 10-QSB AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                         382,039
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  720,389
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    721,313
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,872,032
<PP&E>                                         837,756
<DEPRECIATION>                                 502,651
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,261,535
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,190,121
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,023
<OTHER-SE>                                    (49,599)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,261,535
<SALES>                                      3,242,668
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,414,855
<CGS>                                        1,886,854
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,886,854
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             4,012,033
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              35,842
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,493,098)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,493,098)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,493,098)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.83)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.83)