<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         155,908
<SECURITIES>                                 7,511,619
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             7,864,199
<PP&E>                                       1,869,974
<DEPRECIATION>                                 363,355
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               9,529,771
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          835,877
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        72,350
<OTHER-SE>                                   6,580,728
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 9,529,771
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             5,901,818
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             181,638
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (5,635,134)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (5,635,134)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (5,635,134)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.78)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.78)