<ARTICLE> 5
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                         556,399
<SECURITIES>                                 1,286,967
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,055,733
<PP&E>                                      10,679,081
<DEPRECIATION>                             (6,592,048)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,651,063
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,241,285
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                    73,404,101
<OTHER-SE>                                (71,593,378)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 6,651,063
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               276,187
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             3,983,366
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              72,842
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (3,780,021)  
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.19)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.19)