<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM AUDITED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                       9,575,240               3,745,851
<SECURITIES>                                 1,464,277               3,537,483
<RECEIVABLES>                                  550,738                 783,232
<ALLOWANCES>                                    12,983                  22,284
<INVENTORY>                                    351,330                 397,072
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            12,015,191               8,512,849
<PP&E>                                       1,238,584               1,967,113
<DEPRECIATION>                                 642,994                 801,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              12,955,791              10,047,468
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          827,765                 708,617
<BONDS>                                          8,350                   1,721
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        69,256                  70,716
<OTHER-SE>                                  12,050,420               9,266,414
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                12,955,791              10,047,468
<SALES>                                      1,837,704               1,686,588
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,930,859<F1>           4,222,318
<CGS>                                        1,136,272               1,221,051
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                5,001,221               5,935,894
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              31,934                  37,140
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             (2,238,568)             (2,971,767)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (2,238,568)             (2,971,767)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                (2,238,568)             (2,971,767)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.39)                   (.42)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.39)                   (.42)
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES INTEREST INCOME OF $239,055 FOR PE 12-31-96 AND $505,295 FOR PE
12-31-97.
</FN>