<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position for September 30, 1996 and 
Consolidated Statement of Operations for three months ended September 30, 1996 
and nine months ended September 30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by 
reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-31-1996               DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                           JUN-01-1996               JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                             SEP-30-1996               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                             0                49,342,133
<SECURITIES>                                       0                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      0                 7,246,301
<ALLOWANCES>                                       0                 (132,642)
<INVENTORY>                                        0                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   0                58,098,019
<PP&E>                                             0                 3,568,317
<DEPRECIATION>                                     0               (1,472,247)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     0                60,402,448
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              0                 3,835,219
<BONDS>                                            0                         0
<COMMON>                                           0                    93,356
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0                         0
<PREFERRED>                                        0                         0
<OTHER-SE>                                         0                56,442,995
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       0                60,402,448
<SALES>                                    4,098,474                13,127,916
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           4,098,474                13,127,916
<CGS>                                      1,427,402                 4,079,887
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              5,565,160                15,211,068
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             1,397                     4,429
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (836,678)                 (852,712)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     500                    17,802
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (837,178)                 (870,514)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0                         0
<CHANGES>                                          0                         0
<NET-INCOME>                               (837,178)                 (870,514)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (.09)                     (.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (.09)                     (.11)
        

</TABLE>