<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FILED IN Q3 1996 QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q, CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET, STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q, SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          12,328
<SECURITIES>                                    56,599
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                43,241
<PP&E>                                          19,235
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,790
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  80,053
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,814
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           202
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      71,662
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    80,053
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   762
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,232
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,496)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,496)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.37)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.37)