<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                          24,758                   5,356
<SECURITIES>                                    12,751                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,134                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,747                   (133)    
<INVENTORY>                                      6,356                   4,220
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                52,275                  16,565
<PP&E>                                           3,600                 (1,836)    
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (2,681)                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  56,175                  18,787
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            5,979                   5,223
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                   5,300
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       8
<COMMON>                                        70,738                  21,233
<OTHER-SE>                                    (20,699)                  13,313
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    50,039                  18,787
<SALES>                                         25,915                  24,537
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                25,915                  24,537
<CGS>                                           14,395                  12,271
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   14,395                  12,271
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                20,851                  14,293
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   347                      93
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (1,766)                   (123)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,565)                 (1,904)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         2                      11
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,567)                 (1,915)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,567)                 (1,915)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  $(0.52)                 $(0.47)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  $(0.52)                 $(0.47)
        

</TABLE>