<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AUDITED
BALANCE SHEET AND STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF AER ENERGY RESOURCE AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10K FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
DECEMBER 31, 1997.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                      10,206,870
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      116
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    291,278
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            10,647,738
<PP&E>                                       3,931,906
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,539,020
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,057,465
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          492,276
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    66,519,348
<OTHER-SE>                                 (54,956,271)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,057,465
<SALES>                                        108,399
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               108,399
<CGS>                                        2,675,098
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,675,098
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             7,022,537
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             (8,765,814)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (8,765,814)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                (8,765,814)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.36)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0