<ARTICLE> 5
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             SEP-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997             MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                      82,902,612               9,137,776
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  554,807                 215,761
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,000                   3,535
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            84,379,084               9,581,411
<PP&E>                                      19,655,571               4,081,310
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,033,425                 392,480
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             106,390,478              13,466,551
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        7,802,776               1,398,982
<BONDS>                                     80,860,939                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                    27,651,071              23,021,259
<OTHER-SE>                                (34,967,277)            (11,641,567)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               106,390,478              13,466,551
<SALES>                                        117,696                  30,795
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               117,696                  30,795
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                5,119,948               1,676,628
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,218                 (2,219)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,117,315                  37,395
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (7,997,943)             (1,643,530)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (7,997,943)             (1,643,530)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                               (7,997,943)             (1,643,530)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.04)                   (.32)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0