<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>

THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM THE  CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE  SHEETS OF TELEGEN  CORPORATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 AND THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996
AND 1995  AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENCE  TO SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>
       
<S>                                     <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                           12-MOS                  12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-1997            DEC-31-1996    
<PERIOD-START>                           JAN-01-1997            JAN-01-1996    
<PERIOD-END>                             DEC-31-1997            DEC-31-1996    
<CASH>                                         275,891            3,166,657    
<SECURITIES>                                         0                    0    
<RECEIVABLES>                                   66,000               17,784    
<ALLOWANCES>                                    66,000                    0    
<INVENTORY>                                     75,760              173,841    
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               610,249            3,994,594    
<PP&E>                                       2,253,008            1,193,341    
<DEPRECIATION>                                 706,825              328,967    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,231,614            5,727,322    
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        2,901,366            1,292,533    
<BONDS>                                              0                    0    
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                    0    
<PREFERRED>                                          0                    0    
<COMMON>                                    16,031,336           10,399,318    
<OTHER-SE>                                 (17,501,088)          (6,308,155)   
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,231,614            5,727,322    
<SALES>                                        463,486               23,700    
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,038,402              541,056    
<CGS>                                          234,292               18,083    
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  328,085               86,695    
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              11431110              5869211    
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                    0    
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              89,364              146,650    
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (10,455,911)          (5,115,026)   
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                    0    
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (10,455,911)          (5,115,026)   
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                    0    
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                536,179                    0    
<CHANGES>                                            0                    0    
<NET-INCOME>                                (9,919,732)          (5,115,026)   
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (2.01)               (1.16)   
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (2.01)               (1.16)   
                                                                               
                                                                               

</TABLE>