<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND DECEMBER 31, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000  
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<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>                                             919                   1,170
<SECURITIES>                                       155                   1,240
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,219                   1,589
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (135)                   (136)
<INVENTORY>                                      3,347                   1,667
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                11,574                   5,653
<PP&E>                                           9,566                   7,870
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (3,235)                 (2,681)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  23,943                  12,582
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            9,869                   1,441
<BONDS>                                          3,298                   2,034
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            43                      42
<OTHER-SE>                                       9,938                   9,065
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    23,943                  12,582
<SALES>                                         11,750                   7,773
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                12,250                  10,523
<CGS>                                           10,102                   7,257
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   10,102                   7,257
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,260                   1,711
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                23,000                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 274                     266
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (358)                   1,300
<INCOME-TAX>                                         4                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (365)                   1,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (365)                   1,300
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  $(0.09)                   $0.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  $(0.09)                   $0.35
        

</TABLE>