<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME OF
THIS FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY RFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996             MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                             329                     631
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,845                   7,168
<ALLOWANCES>                                       640                     640
<INVENTORY>                                      4,835                   4,757
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                12,964                  12,417
<PP&E>                                           9,159                   9,175
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,102                   6,265
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  17,897                  17,357
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,342                  10,779
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             1                       1
<OTHER-SE>                                      28,019                  28,019
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    17,897                  17,357
<SALES>                                          5,329                   7,357
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 5,790                   8,023
<CGS>                                            3,169                   4,054
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,469                   4,542
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,990                   4,091
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 219                     299
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (888)                   (909)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (319)                   (197)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (569)                   (712)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (569)                   (712)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                   (0.25)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                   (0.10)
        

</TABLE>