<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AUDITED AND
UNAUDITED INTERNAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       9,575,240               3,405,537
<SECURITIES>                                 1,464,277               4,998,897
<RECEIVABLES>                                  550,738                 329,591
<ALLOWANCES>                                    12,983                  12,983
<INVENTORY>                                    351,330                 420,183
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            12,015,191               9,254,281
<PP&E>                                       1,238,584               1,740,394
<DEPRECIATION>                                 642,994                 678,506
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,955,791              10,695,408
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          827,765                 692,395
<BONDS>                                          8,350                  35,276
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        69,256                  70,602
<OTHER-SE>                                  12,050,420               9,897,135
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,955,791              10,695,408
<SALES>                                      1,837,704               1,223,630
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,930,859               2,858,871<F1>
<CGS>                                        1,136,272                 811,122
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                5,001,221               4,349,930
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              31,934                  24,959
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (2,238,568)             (2,327,140)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (2,238,568)             (2,327,140)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                               (2,238,568)             (2,327,140)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.39)                   (.33)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.39)                   (.33)
<FN>
<F1>Includes interest income of $230,655 for PE 12-31-96 and $396,639 for PE
9-30-97.
</FN>