<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                      14,155,131
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,685,832
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,550
<INVENTORY>                                    974,409
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            17,203,863
<PP&E>                                      17,703,992
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,764,488
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              27,516,876
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,458,394
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        52,457
<OTHER-SE>                                  22,826,595
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                27,516,876
<SALES>                                      2,700,823
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             5,213,800
<CGS>                                        3,116,844
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,708,827
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             2,267,207
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             137,366
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,762,234)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,256
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (1,763,490)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (1,763,490)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.33)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.33)