<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's Statement of Income for year and three months ended December 31, 1998
and March 31, 1999, respectively, and Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1998 and
March 31, 1999, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                               <C>                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                     12-MOS                        3-MOS    
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                 DEC-31-1998                   DEC-31-1999    
<PERIOD-START>                    JAN-01-1998                   JAN-01-1999    
<PERIOD-END>                      DEC-31-1998                   MAR-31-1999    
<CASH>                                344,940                     2,136,590    
<SECURITIES>                        9,377,678                    14,415,330    
<RECEIVABLES>                               0                             0    
<ALLOWANCES>                                0                             0    
<INVENTORY>                                 0                             0    
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    9,953,319                    16,755,553    
<PP&E>                              1,225,891                     2,214,338    
<DEPRECIATION>                         35,477                        41,235    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                     11,143,733                    18,928,656    
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                 886,646                       952,520    
<BONDS>                                     0                             0    
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                       0                             0    
<PREFERRED>                             1,127                         2,030    
<COMMON>                               40,028                        41,251    
<OTHER-SE>                         10,215,932                    17,932,855    
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>       11,143,733                    18,928,656    
<SALES>                                     0                             0    
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            0                             0
<CGS>                                       0                             0    
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       6,535,358                     1,782,982    
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            0                             0    
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            0                             0    
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          0                             0    
<INCOME-PRETAX>                    (5,838,130)                   (1,639,911)    
<INCOME-TAX>                                0                             0    
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                (5,838,130)                   (1,639,911)    
<DISCONTINUED>                              0                             0    
<EXTRAORDINARY>                             0                             0    
<CHANGES>                                   0                             0    
<NET-INCOME>                       (5,838,130)<F1>               (1,639,911)<F1>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                            (.87)                        (.16)    
<EPS-DILUTED>                                0                            0    
                                                                               

<FN>
(1)ESP-BASIC
</FN>


</TABLE>