<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the audited
consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 1996 and the unaudited
consolidated finanical statements as at September 30, 1997 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.  All items are stated in
Canadian dollars.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                      14,518,863              12,941,964
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  196,325                 144,316
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            13,154,012              14,787,738
<PP&E>                                          47,572                 190,174
<DEPRECIATION>                                 133,879                 365,242
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              14,719,342              17,735,477
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          199,291                  23,962
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                    19,275,707              22,819,985
<OTHER-SE>                                 (4,675,656)             (5,108,470)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                14,719,342              17,735,477
<SALES>                                        222,501                 500,267
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               580,715                 807,385
<CGS>                                           52,300                  98,589
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   52,300                  98,589
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               572,891               1,043,986
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0                       0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (213,483)               (335,190)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  51,303                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                (97,624)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (213,483)               (432,814)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.01)                 (0.015)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.01)                 (0.013)