<TABLE> <S> <C>

      <ARTICLE>                      5
      <LEGEND>                                         THIS  SCHEDULE   CONTAINS
                                                       SUMMARY         FINANCIAL
                                                       INFORMATION     EXTRACTED
                                                       FROM  THE  ANNUAL  REPORT
                                                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
                                                       15(d)  OF THE  SECURITIES
                                                       EXCHANGE  ACT OF 1934 FOR
                                                       THE  FORM   10-K   PERIOD
                                                       ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
      </LEGEND>
      <MULTIPLIER>                    1,000
             
      <S>                                                                                                   <C>
      <PERIOD-TYPE>                                                                                      12-MOS
      <FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                                             DEC-31-1996
      <PERIOD-START>                                                                                 JAN-1-1996
      <PERIOD-END>                                                                                  DEC-31-1996
      <CASH>                                                                                             12,109
      <SECURITIES>                                                                                        1,973
      <RECEIVABLES>                                                                                         118
      <ALLOWANCES>                                                                                            0
      <INVENTORY>                                                                                             0
      <CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                                                   14,358
      <PP&E>                                                                                              6,169
      <DEPRECIATION>                                                                                      2,290
      <TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                                                     18,412
      <CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                                               1,365
      <BONDS>                                                                                                 0
      <COMMON>                                                                                           17,361
      <PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                                                   0
      <PREFERRED>                                                                                        27,189
      <OTHER-SE>                                                                                       (33,818)
      <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                                                       18,412
      <SALES>                                                                                                 0
      <TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                                                    9,749
      <CGS>                                                                                                   0
      <TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                                         291
      <OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                                                   15,715
      <LOSS-PROVISION>                                                                                        0
      <INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                                                      0
      <INCOME-PRETAX>                                                                                   (5,381)
      <INCOME-TAX>                                                                                           10
      <INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                                               (5,391)
      <DISCONTINUED>                                                                                          0
      <EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                                         0
      <CHANGES>                                                                                               0
      <NET-INCOME>                                                                                      (5,391)
      <EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                                      (2.19)
      <EPS-DILUTED>                                                                                      (2.19)
              

      
</TABLE>