
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON PAGES F-3 AND F-4 OF THE COMPANY'S
FORM 10K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         118,568
<SECURITIES>                                    17,741
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                37,548
<PP&E>                                           6,614
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (2,844)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  41,492
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,244
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        62,840
<OTHER-SE>                                    (27,779)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    41,492
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 6,890
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,890
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,490
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  57
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (9,909)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,909)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,909)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.88)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0


</TABLE>
