<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND STATEMENTS OF CASH
FLOWS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND NOTES THERETO.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          31,638
<SECURITIES>                                    23,681
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                57,383
<PP&E>                                          25,168
<DEPRECIATION>                                (12,409)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  72,852
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           12,862
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       117,410
<OTHER-SE>                                      46,652
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    72,852
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                18,413
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                27,973
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 707
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,754)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (7,754)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,754)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.52)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.52)