<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 6,654 <SECURITIES> 10,111 <RECEIVABLES> 6,781 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 24,519 <PP&E> 3,097 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 30,041 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,212 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 102 <OTHER-SE> 23,172 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 30,041 <SALES> 11,557 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 17,602 <CGS> 4,374 <TOTAL-COSTS> 9,305 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 12,181 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> (3,052) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (3,052) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (3,052) <EPS-PRIMARY> (0.30) <EPS-DILUTED> (0.30)