<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10K FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 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>                          SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1995             OCT-01-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                       1,121,034               8,622,119
<SECURITIES>                                         0                 165,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                4,996,471               3,815,165
<ALLOWANCES>                                   251,247                 856,802
<INVENTORY>                                    536,680                 264,895
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             7,719,069              12,122,658
<PP&E>                                      12,453,010               7,612,943
<DEPRECIATION>                               6,559,022               3,276,565
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              18,717,019              17,082,384
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       16,601,107               3,250,042
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                       596,722                 436,806
<OTHER-SE>                                 (1,950,972)             (5,565,043)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                18,717,019              17,082,384
<SALES>                                     17,326,603              12,773,384
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            17,326,603              12,773,384
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               39,497,712<F3>          23,508,673
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            11,429,217<F2>          12,417,780<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             134,571<F1>            (73,540)<F1>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (33,854,777)            (23,079,529)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (33,854,777)            (23,079,529)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                              (33,854,777)            (23,079,529)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.68)                  (0.60)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
<FN>
<F1> NET OF INTEREST INCOME
<F2> NET OF OTHER INCOME, INCLUDES EQUITY IN LOSS OF DMX-E
<F3> INCLUDES LOSS ON DISPOSAL RELATED TO DMX-E OF $7,153,278
</FN>
        

</TABLE>