<ARTICLE> 5 
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                      69,236,000
<SECURITIES>                                27,321,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                  778,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           101,930,000
<PP&E>                                      42,028,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              12,998,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             144,513,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       16,359,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        29,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  91,726,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               144,513,000
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            89,933,000
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              177,542,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,435,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (81,222,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (81,222,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (81,222,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.87)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.87)