<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000909494 <NAME> INFONAUTICS INC <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 3,448,737 <SECURITIES> 11,829,843 <RECEIVABLES> 1,722,926 <ALLOWANCES> 32,566 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 17,855,320 <PP&E> 4,301,790 <DEPRECIATION> 1,438,232 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 20,886,847 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 5,877,598 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 14,524,619 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 20,886,847 <SALES> 4,378,350 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,378,350 <CGS> 1,743,981 <TOTAL-COSTS> 18,476,151 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> (13,262,796) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (13,262,796) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.40) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.40)