<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AS OF AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1997              JAN-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997             JUN-30-1996<F1>
<CASH>                                          27,133                  31,848
<SECURITIES>                                         0                  11,757
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,755                   9,894
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (220)                   (551)
<INVENTORY>                                      7,271                   6,060
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                40,536                  59,691
<PP&E>                                           8,270                   5,320
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (3,519)                 (2,409)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  45,331                  62,962
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            5,178                   5,247
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                   5,591
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            17                      16
<OTHER-SE>                                      40,006                  51,711
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    45,331                  62,962
<SALES>                                         11,373                  16,664
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                11,373                  16,664
<CGS>                                            7,295                   9,891
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    7,295                   9,891
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,048                  12,094
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   147                     284
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (808)                 (1,235)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (9,162)                 (4,086)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,162)                 (4,086)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,162)                 (4,086)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.54)                  (0.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.54)                  (0.29)
<FN>
<F1>Amounts as of and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 have been restated 
to reflect the merger of Sync Research and Tylink Corporation consummated on 
August 23, 1996 and accounted for as a pooling of interests.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>