<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                       2,120,077
<SECURITIES>                                 5,084,453
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             7,254,630
<PP&E>                                       1,869,693
<DEPRECIATION>                               (254,827)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               8,943,371
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          659,674
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        71,893
<OTHER-SE>                                   (363,128)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 8,943,371
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           (4,603,617)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (40,651)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (4,316,437)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (4,316,437)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (4,316,437)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.60)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.60)