<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) FORM
10-Q, DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                      13,724,695
<SECURITIES>                                22,025,892
<RECEIVABLES>                                  464,597
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    174,330
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            36,971,138
<PP&E>                                      13,278,138
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,581,434
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              42,916,896
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,216,849
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        67,269
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                42,916,896
<SALES>                                          4,560
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,366,573
<CGS>                                            5,805
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                3,120,305
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,753,732)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 73,298
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (1,680,434)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.25)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.25)