<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND DECEMBER 31, 1997
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-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                             411                     919
<SECURITIES>                                        43                     155
<RECEIVABLES>                                    6,328                   7,219
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (460)                   (135)
<INVENTORY>                                      4,252                   3,347
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                10,848                  11,547
<PP&E>                                          14,775                   9,566
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (7,099)                 (3,235)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  23,950                  23,943
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,343                   9,869
<BONDS>                                          5,774                   3,849
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            43                      43
<OTHER-SE>                                       7,340                   9,938
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    23,950                  23,943
<SALES>                                         23,070                  11,750
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                23,501                  12,250
<CGS>                                           15,714                  10,102
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   15,714                  10,102
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,657                   2,260
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   460                     135
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 810                     274
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,328)                   (358)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        98                       4
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,695)                   (365)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,695)                   (365)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.63)                   (.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.63)                   (.09)
        

</TABLE>