<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 AND THE RELATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS THEN ENDED 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>                                          14,550                  16,683
<SECURITIES>                                    40,506                  41,148
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,366                   9,493
<ALLOWANCES>                                       295                     250
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                71,656                  68,602
<PP&E>                                          14,447                   7,435
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,676                   3,134
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  81,720                  73,273
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,135                  12,162
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                   1,986
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                        81,627                  76,729
<OTHER-SE>                                     (23,053)                (17,983)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    81,720                  73,273
<SALES>                                         49,929                  30,458
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                49,929                  30,458
<CGS>                                              346                     612
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    8,049                   4,507
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                47,559                  26,332
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    52                     281
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  53                     119
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (3,278)                  1,215
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,593                     330
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (4,871)                    885
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (4,871)                    885
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.35)                    .07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.35)                    .06


</TABLE>