<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 12,885 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 4,218 <ALLOWANCES> (106) <INVENTORY> 6,629 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 23,626 <PP&E> 47,067 <DEPRECIATION> (26,936) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 43,757 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 5,174 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 68 <OTHER-SE> 38,515 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 43,757 <SALES> 18,432 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 18,432 <CGS> 11,234 <TOTAL-COSTS> 11,234 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> (8,403) <INCOME-TAX> 141 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (8,544) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (8,544) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.25) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.25)