<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the financial statements and related notes for the period ended April 30, 1996 
and 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-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            NOV-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                              APR-30-1996
<CASH>                                      7,181,068 
<SECURITIES>                               21,907,447 
<RECEIVABLES>                               2,164,985 
<ALLOWANCES>                                   66,600 
<INVENTORY>                                 2,360,181 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           23,110,359       
<PP&E>                                      3,519,150      
<DEPRECIATION>                              1,609,090    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             36,992,027      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       1,256,270    
<BONDS>                                             0  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                         0 
<COMMON>                                       94,386 
<OTHER-SE>                                 35,641,371       
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               36,992,027         
<SALES>                                     5,330,421          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            5,330,421          
<CGS>                                       1,518,076          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               3,145,572          
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0       
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0      
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  0       
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             1,231,652       
<INCOME-TAX>                                  445,000      
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           786,652      
<DISCONTINUED>                              (605,615)  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0      
<CHANGES>                                           0  
<NET-INCOME>                                  181,037 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .02 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .02