<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998             MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                       2,546,632               2,681,271<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,085,697               1,976,407<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (118,000)               (127,000)<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                    663,617                 706,342<F1>
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             4,255,253               5,387,041<F1>
<PP&E>                                       3,251,350               3,203,475<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,192,021               1,949,596<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,516,415               6,849,833<F1>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,643,810               2,424,031<F1>
<BONDS>                                              0                       0<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0<F1>
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0<F1>
<COMMON>                                       146,968                 146,968<F1>
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,725,637               4,242,276<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,516,415               6,849,833<F1>
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,822,906               2,178,318
<CGS>                                        1,551,412               2,012,295
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,279,898               1,918,369
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (905,379)             (1,695,317)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (905,379)             (1,695,317)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (905,379)             (1,695,317)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.06)                   (.13)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
<FN>
<F1>AMOUNTS ARE AT MARCH 31, 1997
</FN>
        

</TABLE>