<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AUDITED
BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                      18,728,427
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,886
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,411
<INVENTORY>                                    100,399
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            19,010,438
<PP&E>                                       3,694,247
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,033,392
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              20,688,134
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          508,766
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    65,675,743
<OTHER-SE>                                 (45,499,332)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                20,688,134
<SALES>                                         22,633
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                22,633
<CGS>                                        1,310,360
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,310,360
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             7,330,767
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             (7,559,321)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (7,559,321)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                (7,559,321)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.33)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0