<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO CONTAINED IN THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM
10-K FILED ON MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           6,948                   9,190
<SECURITIES>                                    11,800                  11,406
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,035                   6,685
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                      6,020                   2,908
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                34,740                  31,274
<PP&E>                                          21,356                  18,868
<DEPRECIATION>                                (10,640)                 (8,260)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  48,385                  42,658
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,809                   4,898
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            92                      92
<OTHER-SE>                                      43,570                  37,330
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    48,385                  42,658
<SALES>                                         43,821                  47,282
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                44,319                  48,267
<CGS>                                           25,274                  25,447
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,183                   9,642
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 711                   (291)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,573                  13,469
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,335                   2,359
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,238                  11,110
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,238                  11,110
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .68                    1.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .68                    1.06
        

</TABLE>