<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the financial statements and related notes for the period ended April 30, 1997
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            NOV-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              APR-30-1997
<CASH>                                      5,638,409 
<SECURITIES>                               12,913,887 
<RECEIVABLES>                               1,680,535 
<ALLOWANCES>                                   24,500 
<INVENTORY>                                 1,516,027 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           18,645,029       
<PP&E>                                      2,652,159      
<DEPRECIATION>                              1,038,108    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             25,779,151      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       1,012,722    
<BONDS>                                             0  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                         0 
<COMMON>                                       95,434 
<OTHER-SE>                                 24,670,995       
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               25,779,151         
<SALES>                                     4,806,479          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            4,806,479          
<CGS>                                       2,021,994          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               2,975,683          
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0       
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0      
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0       
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               384,872       
<INCOME-TAX>                                  163,000      
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           221,872      
<DISCONTINUED>                              (920,000)  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0      
<CHANGES>                                           0  
<NET-INCOME>                                (698,128) 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .07 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .07